Voces De La Frontera Holds Immigrant Rights Workshop In Milwaukee

Close to 100 people attended a workshop Sunday at Candela’s Banquet and Conference Facility in Milwaukee to discuss the rights of mixed-status immigrant families.

Immigrant advocacy group Voces de la Frontera held the workshop where Marc Christopher, an immigration attorney based in Milwaukee, said families should make sure they have power of attorney documents regarding property or guardianship in case the parents are detained or deported.

“Let’s say because you’re concerned about, let’s face it, being detained by immigration, you can make that document become active upon those events happening,” Christopher said.

It’s important for families to have a contingency plan in the event someone becomes unable to work or are not able to make decisions, Christopher said.

The workshop lasted nearly two and half hours as presenters gave attendees information and answered any questions regarding fears and services their organizations provided. The workshops were aimed at assisting Hispanic families.

Ingrid Fernandez, of the Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee, shared a list of services they provide such as tax assistance, obtaining proper legal documentation and detention visitation with attendees. She said one of the consulate’s most important duties is making sure immigrant workers know their labor rights.

“Without knowing that, they are victims of injuries in the workplace or discrimination, and they don’t know that they have a right to file a complaint,” Fernandez said.

She also assured attendees they would not lose any rights as Mexican citizens if they became dual citizens in the United States.

The workshop in Milwaukee was one of four held across the state in response to increased immigration enforcement across the country since President Trump took office.