News from our partners at Channel3000.

MADISON, Wis. – Democratic lawmakers and community leaders met on the steps of the Capitol on Thursday to protest the way immigrants are being treated in the United States.

There were 11 scheduled speakers who talked about their personal experience with immigration or why they believe immigrants make the community stronger.

There were elected officials, like Madison’s mayor and alders, but there were also leaders from groups such as Centro Hispano and Voces de la Frontera who spoke as well.

Though they spoke from different perspectives, they all had a message that we support immigrants in Dane County and Madison.

“We are one community made of many communities, and it is in that diversity that we find our strength,” said Dane County Executive Joe Paris. “We in Dane County are not your federal government. We’re your local government, and we welcome you. We respect you, and we stand with you.”

Along with supporting immigrants, the group spoke about adding laws that would benefit immigrants and getting rid of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.