Reclamos falsos hechos por Voces de la Frontera Acción contra la C andidata para supervisora del condado de Milwaukee Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

Voces de la Frontera Action recurre a realizar reclamos falsos contra Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, candidata del 12 Distrito de Supervisores del Condado de Milwaukee.

Por H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

30 de marzo del 2018

Milwaukee, WI – El viernes, se envió un correo electrónico masivo por parte de Voces de la Frontera Action (VDLFA) haciendo declaraciones falsas contra Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, candidata para el 12 Distrito de Supervisores del Condado de Milwaukee y confirmó su respaldo el apoyo para la reelección de la Supervisora Peggy West. VDLFA al hacer declaraciones falsas contra Ortiz-Velez, que también es miembra de la organización sin fines de lucro Voces de la Frontera, una organización que lucha sobre los derechos de los trabajadores y de los inmigrantes, solo puede indicar una cosa, parece que venden a sus propios miembros ni en barato, lo que cuestiona su credibilidad. Al endosar a West, VDLFA hace las siguientes declaraciones falsas: “Por el contrario, su oponente (Ortiz-Velez) cuenta con el apoyo de intereses corporativos que han gastado más de $1 millón de dolares tratando de comprar la Junta del Condado para privatizar y cortar los servicios públicos”.
Ortiz-Velez dio a conocer la siguiente declaración en respuesta a los reclamos falsos de VDLFA: “Estoy muy decepcionada con Voces de la Frontera Acción (que está afiliada a Voces de la Frontera), del que soy miembra. Están haciendo afirmaciones falsas sobre mí, diciendo que estoy siendo apoyada por intereses corporativos y que apoyo la privitización de los servicios públicos y la reducción de los servicios públicos, en un correo electrónico masivo enviado por la organización. Todo esto es falso. Me dedico a mejorar los servicios públicos, que los residentes del condado de Milwaukee se merecen ¡Mejor! ¡Lo hubieran sabido, si me hubieran invitado a una entrevista para aprobación. Tienen el derecho de apoyar a quien prefieran, pero hacer afirmaciones falsas es muy decepcionante, erróneo y cuestiona su credibilidad!, Me enorgullece contar con el apoyo de los miembros de la comunidad y el vecindario y las partes interesadas que creen que soy la candidata adecuada para este puesto. ¡Reto a Voces de la Frontera para que demuestre sus afirmaciones! … Todos mis fondos y Los recaudadores de fondos, que son registros públicos, han estado en el distrito y han sido patrocinados por miembros de la comunidad y partes interesadas. Mientras que mi oponente, ha tenido casi todo el dinero que ha recaudado fuera del distrito y recaudación de fondos fuera del distrito. ¡La imagen es clara, soy la candidata de la gente del 12 Distrito! ¡Espero escuchar las voces del pueblo el 3 de abril! VOTE SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ ¡Para ser claro, soy defensora de los derechos de los inmigrantes y soy pro-inmigrantes!”

Voces de la Frontera Action (501c4) es el brazo de defensa de Voces de la Frontera, con la misma misión de luchar por los derechos de los trabajadores, estudiantes y trabajadores inmigrantes de bajos salarios.

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False Claims Made By Voces de la Frontera Action Against Milwaukee County Supervisor Candidate Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

Voces de la Frontera Action resorts to making false claims against Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, a candidate for the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 30, 2018

Milwaukee, WI – On Friday, a mass e-mailing by Voces de la Frontera Action (VDLFA) was sent out making false claims against Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, a candidate for the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District and confirmed their endorsement for incumbent, Supervisor Peggy West for re-election. VDLFA by making false claims against Ortiz-Velez who is also a member of the non-profit organization Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights and workers rights organization can only indicate one thing, they seem to sell out their own paying members for self gain, which questions their credibility. In endorsing West, VDLFA makes the following false claims, “By contrast, her opponent (Ortiz-Velez) is supported by corporate interests who have spent more than $1 million trying to buy the County Board in order to privatize and cut public services.”
Ortiz-Velez released the following statement in response to VDFA false claims, “I am very disapponted in Voces De La Frontera Action (which is affiliated to Voces de la Frontera), which I am a member of. They are making false claims about me, saying that I am being supported by corporate interest and that I support privitization of public services and cutting public services.., sent out in a mass email. This is all false! I am dedicated to improving public services, which Milwaukee County Residents deserve better!!! They would have known this, if they would have invited me for an interview for an endorsement. They have the right to support whomever they prefer, but to make false claims is very disappointing, wrong and questions their credibility!! Furthermore, I am proud to be supported by community and neighorhood members and stakeholders who believe I am the right candidate for this position. I challenge Voces De La Frontera, to prove their claims!!!… All of my funds and fundraisers, which is public record, have been in the district and sponsored by community members and stakeholders. Whereas my opponent, has had almost all of the money she has raised from outside the district and fundraisers outside the district. The picture is clear, I am the choice of the people from the 12th District!!! I look forward to hearing your voices on April 3rd!!! VOTE SYLVIA ORTIZ-VELEZ To be clear, I am pro-immigrant and pro-immigrant rights advocate!!!”

Voces de la Frontera Action (501c4) is the advocacy arm of Voces de la Frontera, with the same mission to fight for the rights of workers, students, and low wage immigrant workers.

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Minister And Wife Arrested For Aggravated Assault Of Several Lilburn Police Officers Over Pregnant Run Away Girl

Minister and wife were denied bail after assaulting a police officers.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 30, 2018

Lilburn, Georgia – Lilburn Police Department (LPD) released a press release including a police body camera video showing a minister and his wife from the Iglesia Cristiana Evangelista obstructing a police investigation into a missing 16-year-old girl who is pregnant from Wilmer Cruz, 17, one of the sons of the couple arrested in the incident. According to the police video footage, the mother of the missing girl called police after spotting her daughter in company of a woman who had a restraining order not to have contact with the girl. A police sergeant went to speak with a teen near a vehicle, which turned out to be Wilmer and he refuse to cooperate and the sergeant requested for the girl to exit the vehicle, that’s when the rest of the family members came out of the church and obstructed the sergeant from investigating to determine what was going on. Wilmer challenged the sergeant and he was instructed to move back and refused. So, the sergeant felt threaten and he pushed Wilmer back and then Wilmer and his father assaulted the sergeant and when he tried to use a taser, Wilmer’s mother took the taser away from the sergeant and the sergeant almost shot her. Wilmer’s father had also attempted to choke the sergeant with the help of a younger son before the sergeant pulled out the taser. The younger son managed to take another officer’s radio.
All four members of the family were arrested for obstruction of an officer, assulting an officer, interference with the custody of a minor, the woman was also charged with taking an officer’s taser, her younger son was charged charged with taking a police radio. Both parents are facing felony charges for assaulting an officer.
If convicted, the minister and his wife could be deported to El Salvador after serving their sentences, because they are not U.S. Citizens. During a court hearing in the case, bail was denied for the minister and his wife.
The LPD reported that officers arrested Wilmer R. Cruz Sr., 38, and Cristina Cruz, 37, for numerous charges stemming from an altercation with police officers. A 16 and 17 year old were also arrested at the scene.
On March 25, 2018, Lilburn Police responded to a call of a located runaway near 4830 Lawrenceville Highway. Upon arriving, a Lilburn police officer spoke with the complainant and then approached a tan Cadillac Escalade where missing 16-year-old female was located. As the officers walked toward the vehicle, several people approached the officers.
Officers repeatedly instructed people to stand back and continued to attempt to speak to the missing female juvenile in the parked car. Several people did not comply and in turn challenged and assaulted the officers. During the altercation, officers were kicked, choked, and took officer’s equipment during the confrontation. Eventually officers were able to contain the situation using crowd control training tactics and kept the situation from escalating further. The missing juvenile was reunited with their family.

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After 14 Years, Deported U.S. Army Veteran Hector Barajas Varela Granted U.S. Citizenship

Barajas Varela founded the Deported Veterans Support House, which is an adocacy group that helped deported U.S. Veterans get their earned benefits and adjust to being return to their native country.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 29, 2018

Tijuana, Baja California, México – Deported U.S. Army Veteran Hector Barajas Varela, who founded the Deported Veterans Support House (DVSH) announced that after 14 years of struggling to become a U.S. Citizen and return to America, that he finally was granted citizenship on Thursday and will return to the U.S. to see his daughter when he takes the Citizenship ceremony oath at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in San Diego, CA on April 13th. Barajas Varela says that he will continue to work with the DVSH for one year and to advocate for Veteran Administration benefits for those deported Veterans that the U.S. government had failed to grant their earned benefits while being deported. The DVSH has also been instrumental along with the ACLU-CA, the Latham & Watkins lawfirm, Nathan Fletcher, James Erselius, Jennie Pasquarella, Norma CP, and Alor Calderon in helping him get his citizenship and several other deported Veterans to become U.S. Citizens as well.
Barajas Varela thanked his supporters and everyone that made it possible for him to become a U.S. Citizen.

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy Van Thanh Callies Passed Away

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy Callies was found deceased at his residence.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 29, 2018

Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy Van Thanh Callies, 44, passed away on March 19, 2018 and a funeral service was held on Wednesday. Callies was found deceased at his residence. At the time of his passing, he was off-duty.
Callies was a 20-year veteran for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. Callies cause of death has not been released by the Milwaukee County Coroner’s Office.
Callies is survived by his wife and son.

Armed Confrontation In Nuevo Laredo Between Mexican Marines And Cartel Ends With 12 Dead

Mexican authorities say that twelve people were reported dead after an armed confrontation between Mexican Marines and a cartel in Nuevo Laredo.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 26, 2018

Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico – On Sunday, Mexican authorities reported that 12 people including one ranking Marine and 2 children were among the dead after a 40 minute armed confrontation just before 2:00 a.m. between Marines and a cartel in Nuevo Laredo. According to the report, Mexican Marines patrolling the area spotted a convoy of vehicles with suspects dressed in fake military uniforms who were later identified as members of the Northeast Cartel (NC).
Several NC leaders, El Cadete and Juan Gérardo Treviño Chávez, aka, “El Huevo Treviño” were also present and managed to elude capture after members of the NC fired upon Marines and the Marines repelled the assault. Also a Marine helicopter assisted ground troops.
A family of four were caught in the crossfire by the military helicopter who was firing at NC members on the ground when the family were driving by and heading home, but got killed by Marines. The family was identified as Nellely Aidé Ruiz Martínez, 28, her daughters Chelsea Abril Rojas Ruiz, 6, and Kenya Azul Rojas Ruiz, 4, and their father Efraín Rojas Santos, 28.
Three family members survived, Efraín’s sister-in-law, his niece, Leslie Ruiz Martinez, 12, and Kennedi Rojas who witnessed that the Marines in a helicopter shot at them. The helicopter landed and the Marines later refused an ambulance to render aid to Efraín who died from lack of medical assistance, the SDRLaredo.chatango reported.
Also reported killed was Marine Captain Mauro Hernández, who served for 18 years and is survived by two children ages 8 and an 11-year-old including a wife. Several other Marines were reported injured.
Two NC members were reported killed. Additional Marines are expected to arrive in Nuevo Laredo on Monday.

Disgruntled Constituents Who Support Milwaukee County Board Incumbents To Protest LeardershipMKE For Favoring Challengers

A local group of constituents who support Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors running for re-election will hold a protest at the LeadershipMKE Southside office for spending thousands of dollars of advertising on challengers, which is actually legal.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 25, 2018

Milwaukee, WI – The League of Progressive Seniors (LPS) and supporters of Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors running for re-election will hold a protest in front of the LeadershipMKE Southside office at the 1300 block of S. 1st Street on Wednesday, March 28 at noon, simply because the state registered independent funding source has spent over $1M of campaign advertising on challengers. The disgruntled group of individuals expected to protest on Wednesday say Milwaukee County government is not for sale and feel that the incumbents they are supporting might not likely succeed in getting re-elected to continue their status quo.
Janice Wilberg, is one of the founders for LPS and supports West’s re-election. According to the January 2018 campaign donation report, Janice from Wilberg Community Planning, LLC donated $250 to West.
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is the primary funding source including local labor organizations who have donated to LeadershipMKE as well. The LeadershipMKE office is located in the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District where Supervisor West is running for re-election and some of the people planning to protest on Wednesday at the LeadershipMKE office would like her to get re-elected. LeadershipMKE has spent more than $56K promoting West in the district, but not in a favorable way compare to challenger Sylvia Ortiz-Velez who is the preferred candidate to oust West, according to LeadershipMKE dot com. Both West and Ortiz-Velez are not affiliated nor have they received any campaign donations from LeadershipMKE, according to reported campaign records. Even LeadershipMKE has placed a disclaimer on their campaign advertising saying, “Paid for by Leadership Mke. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.”
West posted on her campaign FB page that, “It’s now up to $1,000,000 against me and others who are not afraid to stand up to Abele’s lies, bullying and gaslighting.” Ortiz-Velez confirmed during the Southside Organizing Center debate for the 12th County Supervisor District, that she has not received any campaign donations from any PACs and says that if elected, she will be accountable to her constituency and will work to represent and address the needs of the district.
Currently, Supervisor West is facing allegations that she didn’t circulate some nominations papers as she claimed, according to an Ethics Board complaint filed by Ortiz-Velez. An investigation by authorities into the Ortiz-Velez claim that West didn’t circulate some nomination papers has been launched, according to a reliable source. West could face a felony charge, if found that she actually falsified some nomination papers by signing and certifying that she circulated the papers in question when she did not.
Also on March 3, Supervisor West contacted police at Milwaukee Police District 2 Station and complained that Felix Questell, a Southside outspoken constituent had allegedly threatened that he was going to shoot a certain individual.
Questell posted a FB video alleging that West complained to police that he had threatened to shoot a person who Questell identified as a registered sex offender. Apparently, Questell also posted multiple FB posts that West allegedly had a relationship with Thomas James Schroder, 44, a registered sex offender who was released on February 27 from the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility.
Schroder was convicted on January 15, 2008 for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child. The Milwaukee Police Department website on registered sex offenders listed Schroder as homeless, but the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sex offender registry has him as compliant.
West announced on Saturday that Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant and workers rights organization had endorsed her candidacy for re-election. It didn’t take long for Questell to post on his FB account, “Shame on them.” Other endorsements that West received for re-election were from Milwaukee Common Council members, José Pérez snd Tony Zielinski, Wisconsin State Senators Tim Carpenter (D) and Chris Larson (D), Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D), U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, Milwaukee County Judge Pedro Cólon, Milwaukee Municipal Judge Phil Chavez and the list of public elected officials goes on including multiple unions. As politics as usual play out, West if re-elected will most likely owe political favors for endorsements. West is seeking re-election for a fifth term.
So far, West has not responded to Questell’s allegation that she called police and accused him of attempting to commit a crime by shooting Schroder, but she did write a FB posting about an address for senior living apartments located at the 1800 block of W. Becher, West wrote about her circulating nomination papers to get on the ballot, “…Senior and disabled apartment complex as were at least 3 other addresses I used to collect signatures. It is very possible that residents don’t clearly remember who came to their door to get their signature. Knowing that, it is possible that the residents are confused…”

Editor’s note:

On a March 21 FB post, West attempted to mislead her FB friends into believing that her opponent had failed to report LeadershipMKE donations to her campaign when asked several times, if either the opponent or West received any donations from groups that included LeadershipMKE who favors Ortiz-Velez over West during the SOC debate. Both Ortiz-Velez and West responded no to the questions. West knows that she has gotten equal advertising play by LeadershipMKE who also used photos of West, not as favorable compared to Ortiz-Velez and West hasn’t reported it as a donation either, we should wonder why. In reality West and Ortiz-Velez haven’t received any campaign donations directly from LeadershipMKE who has spent thousands of dollars on favorable advertising for those candidates challenging incumbents, which candidates are not required to report, if they haven’t received any campaign donations or did not authorized for LeadershipMKE to advertise their campaigns on their behalf.
West should stop misleading her supporters that Ortiz-Velez has received some type of donation from LeadershipMKE when in fact, the Ortiz-Velez donation campaign reports indicates she hasn’t and the LeadershipMKE campaign reports on expenditures also confirmed that Ortiz-Velez hasn’t received any campaign contributions from LeadershipMKE.
West might have fallen for the misleading reporting by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (JS) report that claimed Ortiz-Velez was the beneficiary of the $56K that LeadershipMKE has spent on their own to promote the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District race, but the JS failed to mention that West was also a beneficiary, but in not so favorable advertising.
The JS has failed to explained how Ortiz-Velez was the actual beneficiary when the election hasn’t taken place yet to see, if LeadershipMKE had any real influence to oust West from office.

League of Progressive Seniors (LPS) on their Facebook page posted a false claim, which read, “The League of Progressive Seniors calls on the four candidates for County Board who have allowed huge amounts of money to be spent on their behalf by County Executive Chris Abele’s sham Leadership MKE to publicly reject further Leadership MKE expenditures in their campaigns.”
Casey Shorts, Patti Logsdon, Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, and James Davies have not allowed for Abele and LeadershipMKE to spend on their behalf, LeadershipMKE independently is favoring the challengers over the incumbents that LPS is supporting and would like to see re-elected.

Milwaukee Police Won’t Release Complaint By Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West Alleging Felix Questell Threatened To Shoot A Registered Sex Offender

Questell says, police won’t release compliant by Milwaukee County Supervisor West until she agrees to release it.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 24, 2018

Milwaukee, WI – On Saturday, Felix Questell, an outspoken Southside constituent posted on his Facebook (FB) account that police refused to release a complaint by Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West alleging that Questell had threatened to shoot an individual, which Questell denies, but identified the person as a registered sex offender.
Questell on his recent FB posted, “I went today to get a Copy Of the Police Report That When County Supervisor Peggy West Of The 12th Dist Called And Lied About it But Because She is a Elected Official I Have to wait 5 Days And they have to call her and if she has Nothing To Hide she will Release it if Not then you all know The Truth!! Please if you ain’t From The Dist your Comments don’t Matter!! She Has Not till this Day has Cleared her Name to say it ain’t True!! Our Community Has To Know!!”
On March 3, Questell posted a FB video alleging that West complained to police that he had threatened to shoot a person who Questell identified as a registered sex offender. Apparently, Questell also posted multiple FB posts that West allegedly had a relationship with Thomas James Schroder, 44, a registered sex offender who was released on February 27 from the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility.
Schroder was convicted on January 15, 2008 for 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child. The Milwaukee Police Department website on registered sex offenders listed Schroder as homeless, but the Wisconsin Department of Corrections sex offender registry has him as compliant.
Questell claims that West made false statements about him threatening to shoot a pedophile (referring to Schroder). Also, Supervisor West has yet to deny the allegations raised by Questell nor has she made any public statements about Schroder.

Drive-by Shooting Suspects Crash After Failing To Stop At Busy Milwaukee Southside Avenue Intersection

Police are investigating drive-by shooting that ended with collision in Milwaukee’s Southside.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 21, 2018

Milwaukee, WI – A multiple vehicle collision resulted around 10:00 a.m. after several suspects in a black vehicle driving Southbound at the 1300 block of S. 12th Street shot at a residence and then attempted to flee and failed to stop at W. Greenfield Ave. The suspected driver of the vehicle involved in the drive-by shooting proceeded to enter W. Greenfield Ave. without stopping and struck another vehicle (Blazer) driving on W. Greenfield.
Witnesses in the area heard multiple shots and then the collision occurred. The driver of the black vehicle fled the scene and his passenger who was injured remained at the scene. A Milwaukee County Sheriff’s deputy who was nearby responded to the scene until police arrived.
The driver of the second vehicle who was driving on W. Greenfield was taken to the hospital to be checked out.
The Milwaukee Fire Department also responded to the scene. The street remained closed while police investigated the crime scene.

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Race Card Issue Raised, SSA Discriminates Against Latino Elderly Southsiders By Closing Mitchell St. Office

The Social Security Administration is scheduled to close the Mitchell Street field office on March 22 affecting the predominantly Latino community.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 21, 2018

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, public elected officials including Mayor Tom Barrett held a Town Hall meeting at the Mitchell St. Library to discuss concerns about the decision by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to close its Mitchell field office on March 22, despite opposition by the Southside community it serves. The public elected officials at the meeting were 12th District Alderman José G. Pérez, 12th District Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West, Wisconsin State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milw.) from the 8th District and City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Barrett says that the community is in a battle to keep a SSA field office in the Southside. He told members of the community that no SSA field office will be in the Southside once it closes, which would be an insult to the community. For the SSA to make vital services harder and less accessible for seniors and those with disabilities to apply and collect those “funds that they placed into the social security system, and to me is wrong,” according to Barrett.
According to the New American Economy dot org report, in 2015, Hispanic households contributed $101.8 billion to Social Security and that included the almost $46.2 billion foreign-born Hispanics who contributed to Social Security as well.
Once the Southside SSA location is closed, those seeking services would have to go the SSA office at 310 W. Wisconsin Ave. (Milwaukee Downtown) or the City of Greenfield SSA location at 8455 W. Layton Ave., which Greenfield has a population of 37,000 compared to the Southside location that has at least 90,000 in population.
Tammy Rivera, the executive director from the Southside Organizing Center (SOC) reported that the SSA reasons provided in a prior meeting about what led to the decision to close the Mitchell Street location was an unsafe building and needed maintenance for years. Finally, the SSA decided to close it by using an exception clause for emergencies due to disasters that allowed not giving appropriate notice to the community affected when closing an office as required. Rivera also explained that the SSA lease on the building expires in May. At least 2,200 clients per month will be effected and none of the them were notified of the closing and there was no plan by the SSA to notify them as well, according to Rivera. Rivera says, when the SSA decides to close a field office similar to the one in the Southside, it saves them money because 11% less claims are filed. Rivera claimed the SSA was engaging in a discrimination practice against a population.
Alderman Pérez told the meeting participants that the SSA had also claimed that crime was an issue in the Southside field office, but a Milwaukee Police Department report indicated no crimes had been registered at the 1710 S. 7th St. address compared to other SSA field locations, which were considered worst. The SSA had mentioned that the elevator had issues operating, but according to Pérez, the elevator has passed elevator inspections on a yearly basis.
Darryl Morin representing a local LULAC Council says that Latinos should have access to the SSA services as well, but the closing of the Mitchell St. SSA office denies them access.
It is reasonable to determined that the SSA has failed to justify why a decision had been made to close the Southside Mitchell St. field office, despite getting an offer from Mayor Barrett and Alderman Pérez to relocated to the former Forest Home Library location which has plenty of space and parking. The SSA has not taken up the offer, but it suggested that virtual stations would open near by the area without giving any further detail, according to Rivera.
SOC reported that only 13% of persons surveyed would use online services. Apparently, there is 1% fraud with online use, which has been estimated to be as high as $78M dollars. A back deal has been in the works with at least the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, one of the community’s least trafficked organizations and not even a social service agency for a virtual service express office. The community sentiment is this was not a transparent, inclusive, or effective process and we are not in support of this option.
We believe it is a discriminatory and are examing SSA action in similar communities across the nation, to impoverish and minority communities and particularly Latinos, Rivera says.
Alderman Pérez at a press conference did say that a SSA office in the Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago, which is also predominantly Latino had closed as well.
In this case, the SSA has simply and blatantly decided to target the predominantly Latino area by denying services to its elderly and people with disabilities affecting a diverse population as well who decided to live in the area. A American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union member says that employees at the Mitchell St. location confirmed that the field office has been considered as one of the best SSA service providers in the area and that people from other locations seek services in the Southside office because of easy access, parking and good service. The Southside SSA has served the community for 40 years.
SOC also announced that there will be a filing of Freedom of Information Act request regarding the decision to close the Mitchell St. SSA field office.

Editor’s note:

It wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone today that the Trump administration is targeting Latino communities and disenfranchising the elderly and those with disabilities as a blatant discriminatory practice, which fails to justify the closing of the Southside SSA office, while maintaining two SSA offices in the Northside of Milwaukee and two other offices in White predominantly areas, which includes Downtown Milwaukee and the City of Greenfield.
Smh, time to use the race card, it is evident that the Latino community in the Southside is targeted for discrimination and other diverse populations in the area have definitely become victims as well for choosing to live in the area.
The U.S. Congress has borrowed billions of dollars from the SSA and doesn’t want to pay it back, so they have engaged in action to cut more than $1.5B from the budget and are looking to do away with vital services by cutting funds. 
Shame on Congress and the Trump administration for advocating cuts of services by targetting and shutting down SSA offices in predominantly Latino communities, which the Southside SSA office in Milwaukee’s predominantly Hispanic community has become the first one to close down and next will be in the Chicago area.

The AFGE Chicago Region Council 220 in February released the following report, We learned that a Social Security field office in Paul Ryan’s neighboring district (Milwaukee) will be closing this year. Instead of cutting field offices, we should be expanding them!
Social Security’s administrative costs are so minimal that these cuts do nothing to extend the life of the trust fund. This is our money, and Republicans in Congress are forcing administrative cuts for no reason other than to make people lose faith in our Social Security system.
10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 each day, we need more Social Security field offices, not less!
Cuts to Social Security field offices will undermine our ability to make critical decisions about our retirement security. It will result in long hold times on the phone and longer wait times at remaining field offices. We demand that Congress act to expand, not cut, Social Security field offices.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) requested an investigation into the decision to close the Mitchell St. SSA field office in Milwaukee and Moore released a letter dated March 9, 2018 from the SSA Inspector General announcing a review has been launched, despite the March 22, 2018 closing of the field office in Milwaukee’s Southside.