Immigrants in Crisis

On Sunday, September 21, GCC was honored to co-sponsor Immigrants in Crisis at the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. The evening began with a welcome reception, where attendees shared a light supper, met with sponsoring organizations, and learned about the work being done across our community to create a safer, more welcoming place for all. It was wonderful to meet people from across the greater Milwaukee area and to connect with other organizations leading powerful efforts to support immigrant families.

The program moved into the sanctuary for an unforgettable panel discussion. The speakers dismantled myths with facts, shared urgent realities facing immigrants, and reminded us that every one of us has a role to play in building justice and safety. Afterward, small group conversations brought people of many different faiths and backgrounds together to reflect, challenge assumptions, and identify real actions we can take.

Key truths we heard:

• Immigrants pay taxes but are excluded from benefits like Social Security, Medicare, or unemployment insurance.

• Hateful rhetoric from elected officials has fueled threats and hate crimes.

• Families avoid calling first responders out of fear of ICE. Additionally, immigrants may not allow first responders in when having medical emergencies. Community groups have worked with the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Fire Department to help the immigrant community feel safe in an emergency.

• Despite immigrants being portrayed as dangerous criminals, they are required to register in the Selective Service System (the draft). The fact is immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than US-born citizens.

• DACA recipients cannot obtain professional licenses in Wisconsin, pushing them out of state and worsening our labor shortages in key areas like healthcare. Nurses are leaving for neighboring states like Illinois.

• Immigrants with legal status and green cards are being deported, sometimes to countries they have never lived in.

• ICE uses militarized tactics designed to intimidate, not protect. These tactics include wearing masks and fatigues, carrying rifles with silencers, using physical aggression, etc.

• Young girls from immigrant families are increasingly not planning for their future, unsure if they will be allowed to stay or attend a university.

• Deportations are accelerating through “expedited removal,” cutting judges out of the process. This was previously only used at the border but is now being used throughout the US.

• The DHS budget expansion will likely intensify these injustices. Things are going to get worse before they get better. The massive budget increases allocated to DHS have yet to take full effect. When there are significantly more ICE agents, all of these issues will only become larger.

  
  

Perhaps the most sobering reflection came from Clair Reuning of Catholic Charities, who shared her time in the Peace Corps in Benin. There, she was embraced and supported by the community with open arms. In contrast, here in America, immigrants are too often met with suspicion, fear, and hostility. As she put it, “It was easier to be an American in a foreign country than it is to be an immigrant here.”

And yet—there is hope. Hope that grows when each of us speaks out against lies, stands with our immigrant neighbors, and takes action. GCC is committed to continuing this work in 2026 and beyond.

Here’s how you can help right now:

• Donate or volunteer with organizations serving immigrants: ACLU of Wisconsin, Forward Latino, Focus Development Organization, Hanan Refugees Relief Group, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Turners, Casa Guadalupe, Voces de la Frontera.

• Correct misinformation when you hear it. Truth changes minds.

• If you encounter ICE, observe, record, and ask questions—without interfering. Visibility matters.

• Support immigrant owned businesses. Show them you value their presence in the community.

  
  

The evening closed not with despair, but with resolve. Our immigrant neighbors make our community stronger. The time to stand with them is now.

Panelists:

Darryl Morin – Forward Latino

Cain Oulahan – Oulahan Immigration Law

Clair Reuning – Catholic Charities

Maryam Durani – Afghan Activist

Co-Sponsors: Bay Bridge, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Anne O’Connor, United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, Forward Latino, Renace, PAGE – People Advocating for Greendale Equality, Hanan Refugees Relief Group, MICAH – Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope, Catholic Charities of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Milwaukee Turners, Greater Milwaukee Synod