Despite an injunction freezing President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by a Texas federal judge, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin and several partners announced initiatives to facilitate enrollment for those who are eligible.
The initiatives, which the mayor announced at a meeting Wednesday evening, are aimed at raising awareness for DACA through local radio stations such as La Movida, Twitter and Facebook. Resources are also being provided to help people apply and to guard against fraud according to mayoral aide and co-founder of Amigos en Azul, Gloria Reyes.
Reyes said even before DACA, the mayor’s stance on immigration has been progressive. One example of this, she said, is the policy that police officers not inquire about immigration status when responding to calls. This program has helped many victims come forth to report crimes who otherwise wouldn’t.
Amigos en Azul also helps police reach out to the Latino community. Many city forms are currently translated by the city, Reyes said.
In partnership with the mayor is Centro Hispano of Dane County, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latinos, especially youth. The organization operates an array of programs including academic support, social services and legal advisement. It is directed by Karen Coller, who said with an emerging Latino community comes emerging issues.
https://twitter.com/MiCentro/status/567734048874065920
Having moved to Madison a year ago from Los Angeles, Coller said the differences in Latino perception have taken some getting used to. In Madison, where the community is growing, she said there is a sense of otherness.
“In L.A. we’re not an anomaly, we drive the conversation,” she said.
Coller said she was pleased with Soglin for being inclusive and working on equity issues, and hopes that the city continues to include the organization in the dialogue.
She also voiced excitement about the City Council’s decision to hire a coordinator to organize a coalition of similar organizations to help immigrants, as well as funding for resources to help DACA applicants.
Statement of Madison Mayor Paul Soglin on President Obama's Immigration Plan http://t.co/nDUwxq3Q5s
— City of Madison, Wisconsin (@CityofMadison) November 21, 2014
“There’s a lot to be learned still,” Coller said referring to the the Latino community and its place in Madison. “People want to learn more about us.”
Coller said she hopes the initiatives will help immigrants step out of the shadows and that the dialogue about the Latino community is truthful. Specifically, she wants the Latino community to not be perceived as taking advantage of the system.
The mayor said in a statement that he is confident the injunction will be overturned, however it remains unclear when the injunction will be overturned.
