The City of Madison in Wisconsin has allocated pandemic relief funds for ‘Services to Residents who are Undocumented,’ according to a recent press release by Republican State Senator Duey Stroebel.
In Madison’s 2023 Q4 Compliance Report, it was disclosed that $700,000 from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) would be directed towards assisting undocumented immigrants. The funds could be used by illegal immigrants for expenses such as, ‘utility bills, bus passes, gas cards, food assistance, etc. Assistance also includes connections to legal assistance and employment.’
The SLFRF, established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aims to assist state and local governments in ‘their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency.’
Despite it being illegal in Wisconsin for undocumented immigrants to receive direct assistance from federal and state governments, Senator Stroebel’s office alleges that the City of Madison is circumventing this prohibition by using SLFRF grants.
“The City of Madison’s decision to funnel money designated for pandemic relief to help non-citizens is just the latest example of the misuse of federal COVID dollars,” stated Senator Stroebel’s office.
In response to these revelations, Senator Stroebel’s office has initiated an open records request to investigate the City’s utilization of SLFRF funds.
The City of Madison has yet to respond to these allegations.
Senator Stroebel represents the 20th Senate District of Wisconsin which includes parts of Ozaukee, Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan Counties.
“Per Madison’s Q4 report, pandemic funding could be used to pay for utility bills, gas cards, and more.” From the Twitter of Senator Stroebel.
