By Cheri Perkins Mantz, Catholic Herald Staff

MILWAUKEE — More than 10,000 people packed city streets March 23 in “A Day Without Latinos,” a protest of proposed immigration laws. Among those marching were many Catholics, including parishioners, clergy and staff of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

A bill, approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in December, would require immigrants to provide legalization papers to get a driver’s license. It would also punish those who assist undocumented illegal immigrants, including churches, priests, attorneys and doctors.

The crowd, which organizers estimated at 30,000, didn’t appear to mind the chilly wind, and they proudly displayed their bilingual signs condemning the pending immigration bill, as they chanted in Spanish.

English teacher Diane Steigerwald, who teaches English to immigrants at the Council for the Spanish Speaking in Milwaukee, attended the march to pursue immigration rights for everyone.

“My grandparents were immigrants from Germany, so I support immigration,” she said. “I’m an English teacher so I know that these people are working hard and they really benefit our community. They pay taxes, they have families here, and I think it’s really important that they not be criminalized. As a teacher, I would be considered a criminal for teaching them English.”

Edwardo Rivera has been in America four years. Through a translator, he expressed his concern about the legislation.

“I am an immigrant worker,” he said. “It would harm a lot of people if they took away our ability to have a driver’s license and not have medical help.”

Rivera works in Milwaukee as a sign maker and attends Prince of Peace Church on the city’s south side.

“I am happy that my church has Masses in Spanish for me,” he said.

Yeni Salgado, who came to America when she was 12 years old, works as a coordinator for Voces de la Frontera, organizers of the march and supporters of immigrant rights.

“It’s not only the Hispanic population, but the immigrant population has grown rapidly,” she said. “This country needs to be more involved with this community because that’s where this country is headed.”

Salgado’s family are members of Prince of Peace Parish.

“I’ve seen the tremendous growth among Hispanics in the Catholic population,” she said. “The Catholic Church has been very supportive to us, and we’re grateful for that.”

Fr. Norberto Sandoval, associate pastor at the tri-parishes of St. Helen, St. Alexander and St. John Kanty in Milwaukee, attended the march as both a Catholic priest and someone who was not born in America.

“I participated in order to support all the parishioners in the tri-parish community,” he said. “Most of the parishioners are immigrants. In one way, I’m part of them because I’m from Venezuela. They just want to give a better life to their children.”

Fr. Sandoval was surprised by the large crowd turnout, and he said he was impressed with how orderly the crowd was.

“It was amazing to see the whole mass of people coming across the bridge,” he said. “I saw the whole Hispanic community working toward what’s best for immigrants, not just Mexican, but all immigrants.”

Fr. Sandoval felt it was important for him, as a Catholic priest, to participate in this rally.

“We need to be sensitive to people,” he said. “Jesus also went with his people. They feel protected when a priest is there. The Latino community is very religious. Having priests walk with them made them feel secure. We are there with them, supporting them, giving love and protection.”

Rob Shelledy, director of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Office of Catholic Social Action, attended the march to demonstrate the archdiocese’s support.

“I was expecting a lot of people, but I wasn’t expecting as many as were there,” said Shelledy. “I saw some of the seminarians from Sacred Heart, some of the Racine Dominican Sisters. There was a big Catholic presence there.”

Shelledy said he expected the large Catholic turnout.

“Historically, the Catholic Church is one of immigrants,” he said. “I think a lot of recent immigrants to the United States are Catholic. The archdiocese, as an expression of the Catholic Church in southeastern Wisconsin, is called to help people live out the Gospel.”

Shelledy said the archdiocese recognizes Catholics from around the world and expects that they will be welcomed in the manner their ancestors were welcomed.

“In that regard, the Catholic Church in southeastern Wisconsin has historically been home to immigrants. Regardless of what happens legislatively, the Catholic Church will continue to minister to the faithful here,” he said.

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