From Rev. Susan Andersen
Monroe
To the Editor:
I was deeply disappointed that the Monroe City Council did not pass the Resolution in Support of Immigrant Communities in Monroe introduced by Alder Matt Sheaffer on November 17.
The arguments concerning “legal” versus “illegal” immigrants had no place in this discussion. Most would agree that our immigration system needs significant revision — especially immigrants themselves who typically must wait years if not decades to obtain legal status despite doing everything by the book and actively working for legal status. But overhaul of the US immigration system is not within the responsibilities of the Monroe City Council. Working to assure that all who reside in Monroe feel safe and welcomed is. I believe the message sent by rejecting this resolution was not one of welcoming and safety for everyone.
Not having accurate information can lead to misinformed conclusions. I’d like to challenge some of the assertions made. First, immigrants do pay taxes. A study shows that undocumented immigrants paid over $100 billion dollars in taxes in 2022. Undocumented immigrants also pay property taxes, sales tax, and federal and state tax withheld from their paychecks. In fact, they pay into Social Security and Medicare but are not eligible to receive benefits from these.
Second, immigrants have very limited access to healthcare. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for most federally funded coverage. Even lawfully present immigrants must often wait five years before obtaining coverage. The emergency Medicaid spending that immigrants can generally qualify for (i.e. to treat life-threatening conditions) accounts for less than 1% of all Medicaid spending. Currently many of us are experiencing threats to our healthcare access, but this is coming from the White House and has nothing to do with immigrants.
Third, I would agree with concerns about anyone driving without a license or car insurance. There is a good solution to this problem: allow all immigrants, including undocumented, to get driver’s licenses. Nineteen states including Illinois and Minnesota do. Here is Wisconsin, there is a broad coalition of law enforcement, farmers, insurance companies and fellow drivers supporting driver’s licenses for all.
Beyond the statistics though, are real, hard-working people here in Monroe — our friends, spouses, neighbors — living with levels of fear that threaten their health and well-being whether they are lawfully present or not. Is it too much to ask for us to pass a simple resolution offering our compassion and support for them?
