Voces de la Frontera, a membership-based, immigrant-led organization dedicated to protecting and expanding civil rights and workers' rights, led May Day actions in Wisconsin on May 1 and 2. The annual event, also known as A Day Without Immigrants and Workers, brought together thousands to demand justice for immigrant families.
On Thursday, May 1, VDLF organized a march in Milwaukee. The following day, Friday, May 2, the movement continued with a rally at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. Inside the Capitol, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Laura Nettles and Lucy Ann Meyer—along with FSPA partners in mission, immigrant families, workers and allies—raised their voices to demand driver’s licenses for all, access to affordable education and an end to harmful anti-immigrant policies such as AB24.
VDLF Executive Director Christine Neumann-Ortiz shared, “We’re here to win back driver’s licenses, in-state tuition and well funded public schools. We want to put an end to ICE and law enforcement collaboration that makes our communities less safe and separates families.”
Christine Neumann-Ortiz also spoke out about the recent felony charges against Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Duagn, and threats made to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “She [Hannah Dugan] was defending the rights of immigrants in her courtroom,” Christine shares. The Trump Administration and certain state legislators are threatening Governor Evers with arrest because he sent a policy directing state employees on how to handle interactions with ICE. Governor Evers issued a statement in response to the threats.
Why driver's licenses, affordable education and opposition to policies such as AB24?
- Driver's licenses for all: Since April 1, 2007, a Wisconsin state law (Act 126) has blocked immigrant families—including parents, workers and students over the age of 16—from obtaining a Wisconsin driver's license. This policy doesn't just harm immigrant families; it also impacts low-income U.S. citizens who can lose their licenses over unpaid fines and fees, not unsafe driving. Learn more about Driver Licenses For All at VDLF.
- Affordable education: Students with irregular status in Wisconsin are denied access to in-state tuition—even if they reside in Wisconsin. Without affordable education, higher education becomes out of reach for many immigrant students. Learn more at Higher Ed Immigration Portal.
- Opposing AB24: This is an anti-immigrant bill that would allow local law enforcement to act as immigration agents by requiring sheriffs to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Wisconsin State Assembly passed this bill on March 24, 2025. Read State Assembly passes bill requiring sheriffs to work with federal immigration officials.
May Day media coverage
Read WMTV 15's Hundreds march to Wisconsin State Capitol in 'Day Without Immigrants' rally.