ICE detention of Elvira Benitez

A Milwaukee small business owner, speaking through a translator, said ICE detentions like Benitez's spread fear through the community and hurt local businesses, with South Side sales down 30-60%.

Voces de la Frontera's leader argued Benitez is being unjustly held in Kentucky far from her family despite court relief, and said the city has a duty to speak out for detained immigrants.

A DACA recipient said she shares the fear felt by undocumented residents and urged the committee to vote yes, noting DACA renewals now take 6-8 months and many recipients have been detained or deported.

Benitez's husband said she has been detained for over two months, is battling health issues while denied treatment, and their children ask daily when their mother is coming home.