Latest news with #VocesdelaFrontera
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Federal officials under scrutiny after alleging undocumented Milwaukee man threatened Trump
Immigration officials this week said an undocumented man arrested in Milwaukee had threatened to kill President Donald Trump — but their account of events is now facing scrutiny. Now, his family members say they are receiving death threats. Ramón Morales Reyes, 54, a Mexican immigrant living in Milwaukee, was arrested May 22 on Milwaukee's south side, shortly after dropping his daughter off at a school. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a news release six days later accusing Morales Reyes of writing a letter threatening to assasinate Trump. The letter published by DHS reads, 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in (h)is head.' The "30 yard 6" mentioned in the letter likely refers to a type of hunting rifle. The DHS news release said an intelligence officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement received the letter in the mail on May 21, a day before agents arrested Morales Reyes. However, his family members and his attorney say Morales Reyes — who does not speak English and is not proficient at writing in Spanish — could not have authored the letter. According to his lawyer, Kime Abduli, Morales Reyes is from a rural part of Mexico where education was not readily accessible growing up. A CNN report citing a "high-level law enforcement official who was briefed on the case" also said officials had already determined Reyes did not write the letter by the time they interviewed him. Reyes' handwriting and the handwriting on the letter didn't match, the source told CNN. DHS was "careless" with their issuance of the statement, according to Abduli. She said the public statement from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has already done irreversible damage to the family and prompted numerous death threats against them on social media. Morales Reyes is a victim in a robbery and assault case and was in the process of applyling for a U-visa, Abuduli said. U-visas allow undocumented victims of certain crimes to stay in the U.S. for up to four years if they agree to help law enforcement in the investigation of the crime. According to Abudli, his family believes the letter may have been written by someone connected to the case in an attempt to get Morales Reyes deported before he could testify. According to CNN, investigators also believe this is the case. Morales Reyes is currently detained at Dodge Detention Center in Juneau. Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights group that has been in contact with Morales Reyes' family, is urging DHS to retract its news release and issue a correction to clear Morales Reyes' name. "Because of this lack of investigation, they are putting other people's lives under threat, and they're interfering with his due process rights and his pending legal cases," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director at Voces de la Frontera. DHS did not answer the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's questions May 29 about what evidence connected the letter to Morales Reyes. "The investigation into the threat is ongoing," a senior DHS official said in an email. "Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record. He will remain in custody." According to the DHS statement, Morales Reyes entered the U.S. without authorization 'at least nine times' between 1998 and 2005. Publicly available records connect Morales Reyes to two incidents in 1996, one where he was accused of a hit-and-run and another where he was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, related to domestic violence. Based on the available documents, Morales Reyes was not charged for the alleged hit-and-run and the criminal damage charge was dismissed. He received a non-criminal conviction for the disorderly conduct charge, which usually refers to a ticket, the documents show. The arrest of Morales Reyes comes amid the Trump administration's aggressive nationwide crackdown on unauthorized immigration. The administration's efforts have included tripling arrest quotas for immigration agents, detaining students who participated in campus protests, deporting children who are U.S. citizens along with their undocumented parents, and wrongly deporting a Maryland man to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Immigration officials also recently carried out four arrests at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, leading to federal charges against a judge accused of helping an undocumented defendant evade federal agents. The federal government's actions are the subject of multiple legal challenges in various courts over whether they violate the Constitution. Neumann-Ortiz said the family is under a "tremendous amount of stress" and the DHS statement has added to that. "They want his name cleared, and they want those death threats to stop," Neumann-Ortiz said. "They're based on something that's not true." Eva Wen is a reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach her at qwen@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man's ICE arrest sparks scrutiny of federal agents' account
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protesters crowd outside federal courthouse ahead of Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan's appearance
Protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee, shortly before Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan was set to appear May 15 on charges that she tried to help an undocumented immigrant escape arrest from her courtroom last month. "We are here today, this morning, because we know we have to hold the line on defending the constitutional rights of immigrants and others," Christine Neumann-Ortiz of Voces de la Frontera told the crowd to applause. She later led the crowd in chants of "Si se puede!" before switching to English and chanting "Yes we can!" State. Sen. Chris Larson, a Milwaukee Democrat, accused the Trump administration of lying to ruin Dugan's life. He called on the crowd of protesters who gathered in the early morning fog to shine 'a bright light through the fog of disinformation.' Protesters held signs that read things like 'We are a nation of laws' 'Defend Democracy' and 'Only Fascists Arrest Judges.' One speaker led the crowd in chants of 'Hands off Hannah Dugan' and 'Hands off our immigrant brothers and sisters.' The hearing came two days after a federal grand jury indicted Dugan on a two charges that she tried to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, escape from an ICE arrest team last month, putting her at the center of the growing dispute between President Donald Trump and the judiciary. The two-page indictment accuses Dugan, 66, of obstructing a U.S. agency and concealing an individual to prevent an arrest. The two charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine, but sentences in cases involving nonviolent offenses typically are much shorter. Dugan is expected to enter a plea at the May 15 hearing. Members of her defense team have sharply criticized the government's handing of the case. "As she said after her unnecessary arrest, Judge Dugan asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court," her attorneys said. Dugan's defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case May 14, citing judicial immunity and federal overreach issues. Dugan, now in her ninth year on the bench, was placed on paid administrative leave by the Wisconsin Supreme Court shortly after her arrest. Check back for updates to this developing story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Protesters crowd outside federal courthouse ahead of Dugan appearance
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
May Day 2025 in Milwaukee; march for immigrant, workers' rights
The Brief International Workers' Day is on May 1. Milwaukee was one of many cities taking part in "May Day" rallies across the country on Thursday, May 1. It's a call to action as many are protesting President Donald Trump's policies, including immigration and workers' rights. MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee was one of many cities taking part in "May Day" rallies across the country on Thursday, May 1. What we know Hundreds of people in Milwaukee took part as they rallied for International Workers' Day. It's a call to action as many are protesting President Donald Trump's policies, including immigration and workers' rights. Local perspective 17-year-old Alondra Arce and her mother said one issue in particular brought them out on Thursday. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "They're all here for different causes, of different reasons supporting family members, friends, workers, teachers, students," Arce said. "I came from a family of immigrants so it's like within me in my roots to come and support the cause and everything [...] we're also supporting each other so I think it's just within us to come and help support the boss." Activists cited the recent arrest of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. "We're seeing an assault on those rights with the arrest recently of Judge Dugan, and how it's impacted immigrant workers, as well who have been stripped of their you know, visa and pay attention or have actually been deported to other countries with baseless charges and absence of due process and that's being tested at this moment," Voces de la Frontera Executive Director Christine Neumann-Ortiz said. The other side While people out at the march were largely united in their protest of Trump's policies, other Latinos who voted for the president offered a different perspective. Pastor Mariano Garcia campaigned for Trump and criticized Dugan. "We have to have law and order. I mean, you can't have anything without that," Garcia said. "We are a country of laws as well. You know this judge, she broke the law herself. You know she broke the law herself. You know what she did and so you have to restore confidence in the law." SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The Republican Party of Wisconsin provided the following statement: "These protests are advocating for far-left ideas like sanctuary states and cities. Wisconsinites made it clear in November that they want illegal immigration to end and for the rule of law to be restored." The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
May Day begins new phase in resistance against Trump, activists say
Protesters gather outside the Federal Building in Milwaukee to denounce the arrest of Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, April 25. Groups that took part in the demonstration say Dugan's arrest has given new gravity to this year's protests planned for May Day in support of immigrants and workers. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) Leaders of the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), a national network of immigration reform activists, held a virtual press conference Wednesday, ahead of a nationwide day of action on May 1. Although May Day demonstrations are held annually, this year the protests carry a new gravity. Leaders of organizations including FAIR, composed of 38 immigrant-led groups across 32 states, drew attention to the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, and growing concerns about the Trump Administration targeting immigrant communities. Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of the Wisconsin-based Voces de la Frontera, said momentum to resist Trump's policies has grown after the April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court election. 'It was a resounding defeat at the voting booth for Trump's endorsed candidate for our state Supreme Court race, and a resounding rejection of Elon Musk's blatant efforts to buy our election,' Neumann-Ortiz said during the Wednesday press conference. After the election, Wisconsinites mobilized to participate in mass protests against Trump and Musk's firing of federal workers and canceling of federal programs. United, mass actions, Neumann-Ortiz said, will be crucial in the days ahead. The May Day protest, she said, 'really represents the next iteration in this warring resistance to Trump's efforts to impose dictatorship in this country, and to really challenge the scapegoating of immigrants and refugees for social inequality [while] he is contributing to significantly widening that gap.' May Day also will be an important platform to build alliances between working-class people, she said. Neumann-Ortiz said communities in Wisconsin had recently experienced 'an operation that was being conducted by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security investigators under so-called 'wellness checks' of unaccompanied [immigrant] minors and their sponsors' homes.' Voces de la Fronterea learned of the operation through a 24/7 immigration emergency hotline the group operates. Neumann-Ortiz told Wisconsin Examiner that Voces de la Frontera is aware of such cases in Milwaukee, Whitewater, and Waukesha. The group had received a call involving an 8th grade student who was home alone when several armed agents arrived, allegedly saying they didn't need a judicial warrant to enter. 'So again, it was just these manipulative tactics,' Neumann-Ortiz told Wisconsin Examiner. After Voces de la Frontera was contacted, the group sent an immediate community response to assess what was going on. 'What we uncovered is that basically this was an operation that's being conducted to check in on unaccompanied minors who had come through and had a sponsor like, in this case, a family member. But again, this is not the role of the FBI. Their job is to target organized crime, or trafficking, things like that. They do not…This is not how any kind of wellness check is conducted. This is not the body…the agency that would do that.' Neumann-Ortiz said that Voces members insisted that if agents wanted to interview the minor, they should go to an attorney's office to do the interview. 'We do feel that this is, I would say, highly suspect in terms of what could unfold.' Wisconsin Examiner reached out to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offices in Milwaukee regarding the 'wellness checks.' A FBI spokesperson said in an emailed statement that, 'The FBI is assisting our partners including, Homeland Security Investigations and Office of Refugee Resettlement, with a nationwide effort to conduct welfare checks on thousands of unaccompanied children who have been identified as crossing the border without a parent or legal guardian. Sadly, children crossing the border alone and living in the U.S. without the protection of a loving parent or guardian can be vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, and violence. Protecting children is a critical mission for the FBI and we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to secure their safety and well-being.' An ICE spokesperson said in an email the agency is 'familiar' with the Wisconsin Examiner's inquiry, and said to contact the Department of Homeland Security. In response to Wisconsin Examiner's inquiry, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in an emailed statement, 'The previous administration allowed many of these children who came across the border unaccompanied to be placed with sponsors who were actually smugglers and sex traffickers.' McLaughlin added, 'DHS is leading efforts to conduct welfare checks on these children to ensure that they are safe and not being exploited. Unlike the previous administration, President Trump and Secretary Noem take the responsibility to protect children seriously and will continue to work with federal law enforcement to reunite children with their families. In less than 100 days, Secretary Noem and Secretary Kennedy have already reunited over 5,000 unaccompanied children with a relative or safe guardian.' Since late March, at least three people have been arrested by ICE agents as they appeared at the Milwaukee County Courthouse for routine proceedings. The most recent arrest also resulted in an FBI investigation being launched against Judge Dugan, who federal agencies accuse of obstructing their effort to arrest a man who was appearing before her. The arrest drew thousands of people into the streets to support Dugan. On Saturday, April 26, over 1,200 people gathered outside the Milwaukee FBI office, decrying Dugan's arrest as authoritarian, fascist, and inconsistent with American values. On the press conference call Wednesday, Neumann-Ortiz was joined by leaders of FIRM-member organizations from across the country. May Day protests are expected in states across the country. David Chiles, interim executive director of Sunflower Community Action in Kansas said Trump's policies are 'a race to the bottom' and 'a war on wages, on benefits, on dignity itself.' Chiles said that on Thursday, 'we're fighting back.' Cathryn Jackson, public policy director of CASA, who will march with groups toward the White House, said, 'Immigrants and allies are rising up to say 'enough is enough.' May 1, international day of action, we are joining hundreds of marches, rallies, walk-outs, demonstrations with one very clear unified message' — One struggle, one fight, workers unite. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mainers deserve investment in our health and stability — not family separation
Voces de la Frontera gather alongside allies in Milwaukee for a protest on May Day, 2021. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) Maine voters send our elected officials to Washington to solve problems — not make them worse. But Congress is moving forward with budget plans that would harm the health, stability, and well-being of Maine's families, aging residents, and immigrant communities. Fortunately, Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and our representatives have the opportunity to reject these dangerous proposals and fund real solutions. The proposals being advanced by Congress would slash funding for healthcare and food assistance that Mainers rely on and funnel billions into expanding the Trump administration's capacity to separate families and put immigrants in detention — severely compromising our communities' health, safety, and stability. As the oldest state in the country, Maine communities rely on Medicaid and a strong healthcare system to stay healthy. More than 350,700 Mainers rely on Medicaid, which faces billions in budget cuts under these proposals. These cuts could cause devastating damage to our healthcare economy. Community health centers — serving 204,000 patients at 174 clinics across the state — would likely have to close their doors, costing over 2,200 jobs. Our families also depend on food assistance, but the current budget proposals threaten to take it away. On top of the USDA cuts that pull food from the shelves of distributors like Good Shepherd Food Bank, Congress's proposals would sharply cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, which feeds over 172,200 — or one in eight — Maine residents. While these budget plans make devastating cuts to programs that Maine's young and old depend on, they authorize Congress to allocate billions to separate families and uproot workers who call Maine home. Immigrants are integral members of our state's communities, but Congress's budget proposals include up to $350 billion — potentially up to a half-trillion — to drastically expand the Trump administration's ability to detain and deport our immigrant neighbors. The administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency recently put out a request for proposal for new detention centers — potential contracts totaling up to $45 billion. The funding to pay for them would come directly from taxpayers. The devastation from this inhumane investment would be felt most acutely by our families and economy. Over 20,500 children in Maine have at least one immigrant parent. As of 2023, nearly 53,450 immigrants live in Maine — and though they make up only 3.8% of the state's population, immigrant workers account for nearly 5% of the state's labor force, filling critical gaps as older generations retire. In 2023 alone, Maine's immigrant residents paid $625.8 million in taxes, contributing to the Medicare, Social Security, and other programs that Mainers depend on. Instead of taking taxpayers' dollars away from healthcare and nutrition to fund family separation and tax breaks for the wealthy, Congress must invest in solutions that enhance the health, stability, and family unity of all Mainers. They should invest in less costly, more supportive services like legal representation that uphold the right to due process and help people navigate the immigration system without taking them away from their families, communities, and jobs. And they should maintain and support our nation's longstanding investment in healthcare and food assistance. The stakes for our communities couldn't be higher, and the budget decisions made by Congress this spring will have long-lasting consequences. As Maine's members of Congress move forward with their debates on budget reconciliation, we urge them to remember this: the health and stability of our communities is in your hands; we send you to Washington to solve problems and deliver solutions that give every Mainer a fair shot at building a safe, healthy, and meaningful life. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
