Common Ground clergy leader speaking with Milwaukee police officer

Over 370 Common Ground leaders gathered in St Adalbert's Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 26 to meet with Milwaukee Police Department Chief, Edward A. Flynn. Leaders called for a new relationship in how the Police Department works with the immigrant community. This meeting was a first step in recognizing the real needs of undocumented residents who feel real fear to communicate with the police, and real fear in their own neighborhoods due to experiences with violent assaults, burglaries, robberies, and nuisance properties affecting their quality of life and safety.

Common Ground is pushing the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) for clarity and better communication about the department's policy on coordinating with ICE/DHS. Leaders are also fighting for a partnership between Common Ground and the MPD to investigate violent crimes affecting the immigrant community, a recommitment to enforce existing policy regarding providing interpretation services, and education for officers on the federal U visa program which offers a path to citizenship for victims of violent crimes.