Wisconsin Immigrants Deserve Access to Essential Services and Opportunities

Wisconsin is home to nearly 300,000 immigrants, who traveled to this state seeking opportunities to work, go to school, and lead fulfilling lives. Immigrants are vital contributors to the economic and social fabric of our communities. In 2022, undocumented immigrant workers paid $198.9 million in state and local taxes. 

Despite the significant contributions immigrants make, they face barriers in their daily lives. In Wisconsin, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for a driver’s license, which impacts their ability to get to work, take their kids to school, and attend doctor appointments. This increases the fear of encountering law enforcement and the potential for family separation.

“There are so many people, especially undocumented immigrants, who do not have social security, who do not have credit and who also do not have income [and] they don’t have the funding to be able to afford rent. So there are layers of barriers and we are there trying to help people to be able to navigate the system.”

– Esther Ama S. Ptak, Community Outreach Coordinator

Additionally, immigrants often encounter language barriers when trying to access basic needs services, such as health care. This leads to unequal treatment and health outcomes among individuals who do not speak English as their primary language. 

Recent federal policy changes related to immigration have also reinforced harmful narratives rooted in racism. In Wisconsin, legislators are blocking policies that could improve the lives of immigrant children and families, impacting their sense of belonging in our communities.

“A key part of a successful policy must include an invitation to key communities and key members from those communities to have a voice, representation, and the permission to help shape the policy.”

– Community Member

The Governor and State Legislators have a unique opportunity to make this the Year of the Kid for every child in Wisconsin, regardless of where they were born, by implementing policies that ensure immigrant children and families have access to the many opportunities available in our state, including those outlined in the Governor’s 2025-27 State Budget: 

Restore Driver Licenses for All

Restoring eligibility for driver licenses and identification cards to undocumented Wisconsinites will increase economic opportunities and safety for workers and their families, keep roads safe, and increase state revenue. The Governor’s proposed State Budget restores eligibility for driver licenses for every resident in Wisconsin, regardless of their immigration status, provided they meet the same driver knowledge and skills requirements as other drivers. 
This change would allow individuals to commute to work more safely, keep families together, and avoid unnecessary challenges with law enforcement. For the safety and dignity of immigrant families, Kids Forward cautions that any restoration of driver licenses must ensure data protections for all applicants to make sure data is not shared with unrelated agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Language Access

Language access is vital for the inclusion of immigrants in our country. A recent federal executive order designates English as the official language of the U.S. and revokes the requirement for federal agencies to improve access to language services. This harmful order could impact nearly 165,000 non-English speakers in Wisconsin who need language access.

The Governor’s proposal includes $1 million to expand translation services for state agencies and $179,000 to support interpreter services for staff in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This would increase access to translation and interpretation services to more families across the state.

The proposal also includes $53 million to support English learner students in every school district across the state. This funding will equip Wisconsin school districts, including rural districts, with access to the resources they need to enhance the academic environment for students of color, many of whom speak Spanish or Hmong as their first language.

The Governor’s proposal represents progress, however, it is not sufficient to address language barriers within services that state agencies have to offer. The implementation of a statewide language access plan would provide an opportunity to address language barriers by setting standards and enforcing accessibility protocols among all state agencies. 

“We are limiting the potential of our communities and state when we limit the access to language.”

– Language Access Event Attendee

Tuition Equity

In Wisconsin, students who are undocumented must pay out-of-state tuition rates. This makes the University of Wisconsin system, one of the country’s best public university systems, inaccessible to students who have been living in Wisconsin for years. Allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition would increase access to higher education. 

The Governor’s proposal allows students, regardless of immigration status, to pay in-state tuition if they live in Wisconsin for at least three years after starting high school, graduate, and commit to applying for a permanent resident visa.

Professional Licenses 

The Governor recommends expanding employment opportunities for immigrants in Wisconsin so that they can provide for their families, while also contributing to the state’s economy. The proposal allows Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented immigrants to obtain professional licenses in Wisconsin, including commercial driver licenses.