Wisconsin Immigration

< Back to Wisconsin Immigration Resources

Myths Vs. Facts

Most immigrants are undocumented.

Most foreign-born immigrants are permanent legal residents or US citizens. 60% Latinos are US-born.

Immigrants cost us too much money.

Immigrants pay more than their share of services through income, sales, and property taxes.

Immigrants get more benefits than citizens.Non-citizens are not eligible to receive any federal government benefits—social assistance, SSI, WIC, food stamps, student aid scholarships, etc.

K-12 Education costs are paid for by local and state taxes as everyone else.??Immigrants do not want to be legal citizens.

Most immigrants become citizens as soon as they are eligible.

However,citizenship is not possible for a large number of legal residents (temporary workerpermits).

Immigrants do not want to speak English.

Most immigrants recognize that English is essential to work and survive in the U.S. Limited number of English courses are insufficient to meet huge demand.

Who are so-called undocumented or “illegal aliens”?

Foreign-born, out-of-status immigrants and their children who entered the country without documentation, or who overstayed their visa period.

Can immigrants adjust their immigration status?

Current immigration law imposes severe penalties and rarely allows in-country adjustments, e.g. temporary protective status (TPS), marriage, employment Can immigrants become legal permanent residents?

Via lengthy and complex process by employers or family sponsorships ??When can they become citizens?

Only permanent residents may apply after five-year legal residency. Processing delays take up to 3 to 5 years.

Are undocumented immigrants “criminals”?

No, employment or out-of-status federal immigration violations are Civil in nature. They do not constitute violation of US Criminal code, e.g. felony, misdemeanors.

Contact Wisconsin Immigration Attorneys

Top of Page