Madison, Wisconsin, gave COVID-19 relief funds to illegal immigrants, according to a report by the Institute for Reforming Government’s (IRG) Center for Investigative Oversight.
The city gave $700,000 of taxpayer dollars to nonprofit groups that “provide services for undocumented immigrants, despite those immigrants being largely ineligible to otherwise receive direct federal or state aid,” IRG’s report read.
“It is unclear how grants to local nonprofits for ‘Services to Residents who are Undocumented’ nearly five years following the pandemic meets the intent of the program,” IRG added.
IRG’s General Counsel and Director of Oversight Jake Curtis said in a statement, “It is troubling to learn that the City of Madison is funneling taxpayer dollars intended to help Wisconsinites to illegal immigrants. Taxpayers need answers. Our team at the Center for Investigative Oversight is committed to working with our state and federal partners to bring to light answers for the hardworking taxpayers of our state.”
The revelation led to State Senator Duey Stroebel (R) writing a letter, demanding answers for the improper approval of funds.
“In this 4th quarter report, the City of Madison approved a $700,000 budget for ‘Services to Residents who are Undocumented,” Stroebel’s letter reads. “This earmark for illegal immigrants is alarming since you point out these individuals would normally be ‘ineligible’ for ‘direct assistance’ in many cases.”
He then requested a “breakdown of what the $700,000 of grants were used for.”
“Per Madison’s Q4 report, pandemic funding could be used to pay for utility bills, gas cards, and more,” Stroebel wrote on X. “It’s insane that, at a time when Wisconsinites are struggling to keep up with inflation, that taxpayer dollars are being used to help illegal immigrants pay their bills.”
Per Madison’s Q4 report, pandemic funding could be used to pay for utility bills, gas cards, and more.
— Duey Stroebel (@SenStroebel) April 4, 2024
It’s insane that, at a time when Wisconsinites are struggling to keep up with inflation, that taxpayer dollars are being used to help illegal immigrants pay their bills. pic.twitter.com/fqWoHkPjR1
