Rally to support immigrants held in Oshkosh on Saturday

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WISS) – ICE arrests in Wisconsin are up 22 percent from this time last year, according to research from the Deportation Data Project.

That’s less than in neighboring states, where in Iowa, arrests are up 293 percent this year, or up 152 percent in Michigan. However, protestors in Wisconsin are demonstrating for immigrants’ rights, including at a weekend rally in Oshkosh.

Over 50 people ignored the damp and the rain Saturday morning in Oshkosh for the “No hate, No Fear, Immigrants are Welcome Here” rally and presentation led by Voces de la Frontera, a Wisconsin-based non-profit dedicated to fighting for immigrant and workers’ rights, and Indivisible Winnebago County. 

Deb Martin is part of the leadership team for Indivisible Winnebago. She said rallies like the one held at South Park on Saturday are essential in the current political climate.

“ We’re finding that they have more fear. One of my friends said, ‘We can’t come,’ and I said, ‘I understand that. I want you to just feel courage that there are those of us who care.’ We’re gonna get together to see in what ways we can help.”

Martin said Voces de la Frontera in Milwaukee was part of the rally to share their voices–the voices of the immigrant.

“The reason we’ve invited Voces de la Frontera from Milwaukee is because they understand the real-life issues of our immigrant people right now in Wisconsin. We want to share that information with our community in Oshkosh and the surrounding area.”

Voices of Immigrants

Hiram Rabadan of Fond du Lac and Voces de La Frontera spoke at the gathering, sharing some of what he and his fellow immigrants are currently facing.

“We are everywhere, you know, construction, dairy farms. Check who’s cleaning your Targets, Walmarts, and all these types of stores,” Rabadan said. “(Many are told to) Go back to your country and come back legally. The first minute I step out of the United States, it’s not possible to come back. There is a small window to become a legal resident. That is not the case, especially with the atmosphere right now.”

Rabadan, has been in the United States for nearly two decades. He has been a legal resident for the past two years.  He said the primary purpose of Voces de la Frontera at rallies like this is to find allies for the immigrant community.

“The main goal is to educate people. Educate people about what we are going through, and hopefully, we can have more allies.”

Community Voices

Attendants also heard from two local church leaders, Rev. Ellen Rasmussen from the Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church in Oshkosh and Father Joe Mattern of Casa Esther Catholic Workhouse in Omro. 

Rasmussen said she is using her voice because many who are immigrants are hiding, frightened to use theirs.

“ Instead of welcome, we see fear. Instead of dignity, we see raids, detentions, and families torn apart. ICE policies and our nation’s laws have too often chosen punishment over compassion; walls over relationships; and enforcement over justice.”

Mattern shared that his organization has worked to help immigrants in Wisconsin for many years, including, most recently, a family from Venezuela facing deportation.

“You all know her because here’s what she says. ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to break free.’ Did you ever hear that? The Statue of Liberty is meaningless now with this administration.”

Martin said similar presentations were held Saturday in Green Bay, Manitowoc, and Oconto.