By: Eliza Hake and Julia Danes
This past semester we had the opportunity to work with Kids Forward, and after these past few months we gained a new perspective on pressing issues globally and in the state of Wisconsin. (Note: statements in this blog may be subject to change as a result of rapid policy changes.)
Here are a few key takeaways:
Immigration
According to the Immigration Research Initiative, immigrants represent roughly 5% of the population in Wisconsin and they contribute roughly $22 billion to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). What this information is telling us is that immigrants are crucial to not only Wisconsin’s culture, but also to our economy.
Yet, as students at UW-Madison, we are seeing direct impacts of xenophobia and the scapegoating of immigrants on our fellow peers. According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) 6 current students and 7 alumni had their visas terminated by US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The rationale behind why their visas were terminated remains unclear; yet ICE has provided no further information into the termination. The uncertainty is alarming considering the vast life changes students and their families are enduring.
Language Access
The federal administration issued an executive order seeking to make English the official language of the United States. The administration has also taken steps that attempt to weaken language access standards to which entities receiving federal funding must comply. This continues to make it harder for people to receive public services and notices in a language other than English. According to the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2023, only 21.9% of immigrants speak strictly English. This means that roughly 78.1% of immigrants will not be guaranteed resources they need in their native language.
The Governor’s proposed 2025-2027 State Budget proposes funding that will mitigate these negative impacts, including translation services and assistance in schools for English Language learners.
At UW-Madison we see many language access services offered to students, such as translation/interpretation resources and coaching and consultation designed to promote linguistically inclusive programs. These programs foster an environment with equal opportunities for all students.
The Trump administration’s executive order not only threatens language services throughout the country, but also ignores the fact that 25 million people born in the US primarily speak a language other than English. This signed order can also exacerbate the existing need among families for language access.
Driver’s Licenses
As a student, ensuring the safety of immigrants is something on the top of my mind these days. While the uncertainty can seem dreadful for immigrant families, there are concrete steps that can be taken to protect everyone.
Advocating for driver’s licenses for all means fighting for all parents to have the right to drive their children to school or go to work without the fear of getting deported from a traffic stop.
Currently, Wisconsin follows the REAL ID Act of 2005 which only distributes driver’s licenses to people born in the US or individuals with specific immigration status. Not only does this law harm undocumented immigrants, but it also impacts low-income people born in the US. The process of getting a REAL ID can be expensive and difficult to access for working people. Decades of structural and financial barriers has meant that this disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income working-class individuals contributing to voter disenfranchisement and blocking access to essential services. Additionally, this issue continues to garner bi-partisan support, gaining praise from Wisconsin’s dairy farmers who rely heavily on labor from undocumented persons.
According to the Badger Herald, many of these self identified republican farmers support this change because it would ensure their workers can commute to work safely and efficiently. This policy change is beneficial to society and our economy, as we’ve seen from its implementation in Minnesota.
The push for Driver Licenses for All, proposed in the 2025-27 Wisconsin State Budget, could have immense benefits for Wisconsin’s most at risk populations. This change would likely lower insurance costs for all drivers, increase access to employment opportunities, and make roads safer since more drivers are insured. Expanding driver licenses to all drivers increases who has access to insurance. In states that have already implemented Driver Licenses for All, they have seen as much as a 25% decrease in uninsured drivers, according to the American Civil Liberties Unions of Minnesota.
Minimum Wage
Thirty states in the US have raised their minimum wage above the federally mandated floor of $7.25 per hour, which has remained stagnant since 2009. Despite rising costs of living, Wisconsin’s Republican decision makers have refused to raise its minimum wage. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, raising the minimum wage in Wisconsin to $15/hour would benefit approximately 38% of workers in Milwaukee. Similarly, the Congressional Budget Office found that raising the minimum wage in Wisconsin would directly benefit 379,300 Wisconsinites. Additionally, of the 20 states that have yet to raise their minimum wage, 16 of them have child poverty rates exceeding 12%, including Wisconsin. Not only are the wages of certain Americans unlivable, but the future generations are struggling as a result.
The Economic Policy Institute projected that a $15 minimum wage increase for all states could lift approximately 3.7 million people, including 1.3 million children, out of poverty.
Studies conducted at Georgetown University found that an increase in wages leads to higher employee morale and work ethic. Additionally, workers with higher wages have better physical and mental health leading to higher productivity. Worker turnover decreases as a result of higher wages, which in turn saves money for businesses through less time and money spent on hiring and training new employees. Lastly, raises in wages boosts the economy as consumer spending increases. Low wage workers are incentivized to put money back into the economy, which spurts the cycle of higher demand for goods and services, job growth, and increased productivity.
This is an important issue that would not only benefit low-income children and families in poverty, but also those living comfortably as well. Notably, those earning above minimum wage would be directly benefited by the economic boosts. Other states have found success in implementing higher wages, so it is time that Wisconsin follows suit.
What can you do?
- Get involved. Various local organizations are already working on supporting these topics such as Voces De la Frontera, Worker Justice Wisconsin, and WISDOM (Wisconsin Interfaith Social Justice Movement).
- Talk with friends and family. The more that people are informed on what is going on in their city or town, state, or country the more educated we are as a community.
- Advocate directly to your state legislators. Consistently contacting your legislators through letters, phone calls, or emails will ensure that these issues are on their radar. Our state legislators are here to represent and support our community. You can find your legislator at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Elected-Officials.
Above photo by Jonah Brown on Unsplash
