New Marquette Law School Poll Shows 72% Support to Secure America’s Workforce
MILWAUKEE, WI – Today, the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), Comité de 100, Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southeast Wisconsin, and other business leaders gathered at Milwaukee City Hall to urge Members of Congress and the Trump Administration to provide work permits for long-term law-abiding immigrants and citizenship for Dreamers.
A new Marquette Law School poll shows that 72% of Americans support providing work permits to immigrant workers in the U.S. without legal status, provided they have lived here for at least five years, are employed, and have no criminal record.
Alderman José G. Pérez, President, Common Council, City of Milwaukee:
“We have to come back to common ground. We have to return to a shared set of principles. One of these is that hard work should be encouraged and rewarded. We are asking that people who are already paying into the system receive the same protections that others receive. This is an issue on which most agree. This most recent Marquette Law School poll asked respondents what they thought about issuing work permits for our undocumented immigrants that have been here for more than five years, are employed, and have no criminal record. 72% of those who responded showed their support. Wisconsinites have spoken. Let’s act.”
Darryl Morin, President & CEO at Advanced Wireless, Inc., Comité de 100 State Captain – Wisconsin:
“Today, I stand before you to detail one of the most serious challenges that Wisconsin is currently facing: our shrinking workforce…Even if we were able to train and motivate each unemployed person in Wisconsin, we’d be more than 42,500 workers short…From higher prices for food, housing and transportation to longer lines at the grocery store and even in hospital emergency rooms, this is a serious situation before us. The question is: are we willing to act? Business leaders want to invest in Wisconsin but we’re concerned about the limited availability of workers…Our economic growth is being constrained right now. It’s time to start implementing real solutions. We’ve all seen what happens in communities where immigration enforcement goes in and detains and deports hard-working immigrants with no criminal history: businesses struggle, some close, jobs disappear and so do the tax contributions that support essential public services…The border is now secure…It’s time for Congress to act to address our workforce shortage.”
Sam Sanchez, CEO, Third Coast Hospitality, Comité de 100 Co-Chair:
“Today marks one year from when President Trump made a statement on Meet the Press that DREAMers should be here and belong here. We hope that President Trump follows through on his statement and supports us on this immigration issue. We’re asking the President to follow through on a statement he made on April 10th on work permits. It is important to realize that 65 million Hispanics live in the United States, and 36 million are registered voters. And we saw in Miami, just yesterday’s election, that our votes should not be taken for granted. Any party could lose our support if we continue to see a lack of support for our community. It hurts our businesses. It hurts our community.”
Dr. Nelson Soler, Chief Strategy Officer at MEI Marketing, President & CEO of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southeast Wisconsin:
“Latino-owned businesses have tripled in Wisconsin in the last decade. Both Latino-owned businesses and immigrant-owned businesses continue to contribute to Southeast Wisconsin’s economic activity. Yet, many of them face uncertainty due to the lack of a consistent immigration policy. At the same time, employers in industries such as construction, health care, hospitality, manufacturing, agriculture, and child care report consistent workforce shortages. These shortages slow economic growth, reduce productivity, and limit the ability of businesses large and small to meet demand. Meanwhile, immigrants who have lived in our communities for years, including DREAMers and long-term workers are ready and willing to contribute more fully. They pay taxes, support families, and participate in everyday community life. However, without a clear and stable process for obtaining work authorization, they cannot participate in the workforce at the level the economy requires.”
Kate Battiato, Vice President of Media and Community Impact, LeadingAge Wisconsin:
“In aging services, we think in generations. So for us, it’s clear: we are facing a demographic crisis. The number of older adults with care needs, often complex care needs, keeps rising while the pool of available workers keeps shrinking. This imbalance is already harming older adults, their families, and all families who depend on timely, quality care in the place they call home… Direct care professionals are the lifeblood of aging services, and our long-term care system is unquestionably supported and supplemented by the dedication, skill, and compassion of foreign-born workers who compose almost one-third of the workforce in some care settings. The path forward is clear: we need reliable, legal pathways to grow our care workforce…Taking action now to raise immigration caps, provide work permits, modernize visa programs, and expand refugee status will strengthen our workforce and ensure that our immigration system supports, not hinders, access to care. Today, we urge policymakers to meet this moment with courage and practicality.”
Watch the press conference HERE.