Emergency Life Ring Stations Installed At City of Milwaukee Bridge Crossings Along The Milwaukee River

Life preservers installed at City of Milwaukee bridge crossings along the Milwaukee River 

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 4, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) reported in October 2024 that there were no life preservers (floaters) along the 3 1/2 miles of the Milwaukee River Walk along the river. (HNNUSA Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-city-of-milwaukee-has-no-life.html)

HNNUSA noticed that the City of Milwaukee has installed Emergency Life Ring Stations (life preservers) at downtown bridges.

The Late Vocalist And Percussionist Player Cecilio Jóse Negrón Jr. To Be Featured In Mural At The Art Intersection Outdoor Gallery In Milwaukee's Near West Side Neighborhood

Mural showing Negrón Jr. playing the congas will be among 10 canvass art murals to be displayed next week at the Art Intersection Outdoor Gallery, and 6 additional murals will be added at a later date at the outdoor gallery.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 3, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Derrick Cainion, the Founder and curator for the Art Intersection Outdoor MKE organization confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that next week, at least 10 art mural canvases (painted in polytab mural cloths) will be installed at the Art Intersection Outdoor Gallery located at N. 35 Street and W. Vliet Street in the Near West Side neighborhood in Milwaukee. One of those canvas murals will include the late vocalist, conga and percussionist player Cecilio Jóse Negrón Jr., 47, who past away in May 2023. According to the Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office report, Negrón Jr. died of natural causes citing cause of death "Acute Mayocardial Infarct" due to acute coronary artery thrombus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Negrón Jr. was well known for his love of drums, Latin Jazz and Salsa music. He was the charismatic co-founder percussionist/vocalist for the band De La Buena and on occassion played the Guiro (serrated gourd and played by scraping a stick along its surface) and Bongos (one of a pair of small tuned drums, played by beating with the fingers) along side with his father Cecilio J. Negrón, 73, at local events, who is also a well known local percussionist with the band Caché MKE.

Also in the Negrón Jr. canvas mural, other Latinos and Latinas will be featured by artist Rozalia Hernández-Singh.

A remembrance gathering for Negrón Jr. is scheduled for June 17, 2026 at 3542 W. Vliet Street from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Art Intersection Outdoor Gallery in Milwaukee.

Vacant Dr. Filiberto And Carmen Murguia School Campus Building In The Southside Demolished

The Dr. Filiberto and Carmen Murguia vacant school campus has been demolished at the 1600 S. 36 Street, according to City of Milwaukee records.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 1, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - According to City of Milwaukee property assessment records, the vacant Dr. Filiberto and Carmen Murguia Campus (previously a charter school) property was bought by the United Community Center (UCC) in 2023 for $1,300,000, and in March of 2026, both the UCC and D&H Demolition applied for a permit to raze the school and day care vacant building. It has taken at least 3 months to completely demolished the condemned building.

The UCC has not announced any major development project for the property at the 1600 block of S. 36 Street (formerly the Dr. Filiberto and Carmen Murguia Campus) in the Southside.

The campus building had previous owners, in 2010, the Centro Hispano (Council for the Spanish Speaking Inc. - also known as the Spanish Center) renamed the school building as the Filiberto and Carmen Murguia Campus after its former Director Filiberto Murguia, 78, retired. (HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2010/10/spanish-center-renames-high-school.html)

In 2003, when Dr. Murguia retired from the Centro Hispano, he left a $5,000,000 operating budget. But by 2015 to 2017, when Toni Rivera-Joachin was the executive director, the Centro Hispano lost several major federal funding sources, which led to laying off more than 88 employees, which the Centro Hispano would never recover and it eventually closed operations. (HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-dr-filiberto-carmen-murguia-campus.html)

Another unfortunate situation where a community as a whole allows a non-profit organization to eventually cease to exist and the loss of community services become a thing of the past, which tragically affects the community it served.

The end of the Dr. Filiberto and Carmen Murguia legacy was inevitable due to those that followed failed to maintain federal funding sources to keep the Centro Hispano and its services afloat.

Sign of the times!

Highly Populated Latino Communities In Waukegan And North Chicago Concerned Over Proliferation Of Illegal MAGA, USICE And Green Alien Target Posters

Local Latino communities in Waukegan and North Chicago concerned over proliferation of illegal MAGA, USICE and green alien target posters.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 31, 2026

Illinois - Both Waukegan and North Chicago public officials including community members are asking residents to report any door or outdoor camera surveillance videos that might have captured an individual(s) posting on trees and utility poles with tape what they say are threatening MAGA (Make Amerikkka Great Again), USICE and a green alien with a target posters (signs) throughout these highly populated Latino communities.

In a press conference in Waukegan today, Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham confirmed that it's illegal to post signs in utility poles and advised the community to report any illegal posted signs to the City public works in order to remove them. (Press conference video by Julie Contreras at Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DJr74zetH/)

According to Latino community members, the signs in question began to pop up about a week ago, and community members now want for local authorities and federal authorities to investigate what they say are racist, hate and threatening acts target at Latino communities  in Waukegan and North Chicago. (Report by Michelle Gallardo, ABC7 at Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CUfs8nza9/)

Just recently the White House announced that Aliens.gov federal website was created, which allegedly depicts immigrants of color as invading aliens. (Website link: Aliens – The White House https://share.google/23iO0N5FSsLIh55bS)

The National LULAC has also recently condemned the Alien.gov federal website as "dehumanizing", allegedly targeting immigrants with MAGA racist and hate propaganda. LULAC Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CuBqxYNnD/)

Update: On June 3, 2026, an individual(s) began to post similar alien posters (flyers) in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Residents in Kenosha reported the racist MAGA alien posters with targets to local authorities, according to Kenosha police.

18-year-old Joseph Prado Sentenced To 45 Years In Prison For The Easter Day 2025 Homicide Of Donell Jones, 17, In Milwaukee

Prado sentenced to 45 years in prison, with 25 years confinement and 20 years supervision for the Jones homicide.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 29, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Joseph Prado, 18, was sentenced to 45 years in prison, with 25 years confinement and 20 years supervision for the Easter Day 2025 homicide of Donell Jones, 17, in Milwaukee.

In March, Prado pleaded guilty in the criminal case to felony murder-armed robbery, he was sentenced on Friday to 35 years in prison with 20 years confinement and 15 years supervision, in addition, he was also sentenced to 10 years in prison with 5 years confinement and 5 years supervision for possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent juvenile. Both sentences to be served consecutively (separate).

The criminal complaint says, that Prado and a friend had left a party on Easter morning near W. Townsend Street and N. 23 Street when they saw another individual who his friend had issues with and they confronted him.

Prado decided to rob one of the individuals that they stopped and apparently fired his weapon after hearing gunshots. Jones was critically injured by gunfire and later died at a local hospital, and another 20-year-old victim was injured by gunfire and survived, according to police.

Wanted USICE Agent Christian Castro, 52, Arrested In Texas, He Was Criminally Charged In Minnesota For Lying And Shooting Venezuelan Victim

Castro, a USICE agent was criminally in Hennepin County in Minnesota for lying after shooting a Venezuelan man in January.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 29, 2026

Harlingen, Texas - On Friday, Christian Castro, 52, was taken into custody around 9:30 a.m. at the 3700 block of Sun Chase Drive in Harlingen by Texas Rangers, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators and U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents in Cameron County. Castro, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) agent was criminally charged in Hennepin County in Minneapolis, Minnesota for assault (shooting a suspected Venezuelan immigrant) and then filing a false crime report against Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who was shot in the thigh by Castro on January 14, 2026. Castro and another USICE agent were chasing Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna into an apartment building and Castro fired at Aljorna, but instead struck Sosa-Celis in the thigh.

A $200,000 cash bail was set for Castro. Castro will now face the process of extradition to Minnesota, in order to face criminal charges.

The Hennepin County District Attorney's Office says, that Castro was charged earlier this month with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime for an incident on Jan. 14, 2026, when he discharged his weapon through the front door of a home knowing there were people who had just run inside.

Castro and the other USICE agent lied in a crime report saying they were attacked by Sosa-Celis and Aljorna, which a security camera surveillance video from a nearby location captured the shooting contradicting Castro's claims.

The Hennepin County District Attorney's Office issued a felony warrant for the arrest of Castro.

Castro is the second USICE agent to be criminally charged in Hennepin County, Minnesota during the Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement operations conducted by the MAGA (Make Amerikkka Great Again) USICE.

USICE is known as the most corrupt immigration enforcement agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/01/milwaukee-fbi-confirmed-that-agents.html)

In an unrelated criminal case in Minneapolis, USICE agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, was criminally charged for reckless driving in a freeway and pointing his service weapon at two victims. (Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/05/wanted-usice-agent-gregory-donnell.html)

32-year-old Javier C. Rivera-Diaz Fatally Shot In The Southside Of Milwaukee By Clarke Square Park, Police Searching For Suspect(s)

Rivera-Diaz was fatally shot by a Southside Milwaukee  County park.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 29, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Milwaukee police responded around 10:31 p.m. to shots fired at the 1000 block of S. 24 Street, by Clarke Square Park and located Javier C. Rivera-Diaz, 32, with multiple gunshot wounds including one in the forehead. 

Rivera-Diaz was pronounced deceased at the scene after life-saving measures were unsuccessful, according to police.

Police are reviewing any available door camera surveillance videos in the area in an attempt to identify the suspect(s) in connection with Rivera-Diaz's homicide.

Wisconsin Court Of Appeals District 1 Reaffirmed Lower Courts Decision To Dismissed The Estate Of Luis Lorenzo Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Defendants El Rey Enterprises LLP/LLC, And Marshall Public Safety LLC

A three judge panel in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District 1 decided in June 2025 to reaffirmed the lower courts decision to dismiss the Luis Lorenzo wrongful death civil lawsuits against El Rey Enterprises LLP and other parties including Marshall Public Safety LLC.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. 

May 28, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - In June 10, 2025, a three penal judge for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in District 1, Chief Judge Maxine A. White, Presiding Judge M. Joseph Donald and Judge Pedro  Colón ruled that the Estate of Luis Lorenzo by Special Administrator Wanda Rodriguez (Plaintiff-Appellant) in the Luis Lorenzo wrongful death civil lawsuit case filed against (lntervenor-Defendant-Respondent) Kinsale Insurance Company, El Rey Enterprises LLP, El Rey Enterprises II LLC, Marshall Public Safety (MPS), LLC, and Enoch Wilson failed to establish that El Rey or one of their employees were negligent in causing the death of Lorenzo in July 9, 2022 and El Rey Enterprises were not viscariously liable for Lorenzo's injuries and death. The case was dismissed by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, which also led to the dismissal of the multiple Milwaukee County civil lawsuit cases claiming wrongful death by the Estate of Luis Lorenzo against Marshall Public Safety, LLC and its owner Enoch Wilson.

Wilson, the owner and operator of Marshall Public Safety, LLC is a El Rey's independent cobtractor. The three judge Appeals Court panel agreed "that the Estate's claim for negligent supervision fails on multiple grounds. MPS was El Rey's independent contractor, not its employee, servant or agent within the negligent supervision analysis. Id. at 265. Further, assuming without deciding that employment status was not controlling, the Estate has not shown that El Rey's negligence was the cause-in-fact of Lorenzo's injuries and death. See id. at 262. Therefore, it has not raised a genuine issue of material fact with regard to causation that would preclude summary judgment. Petzel, 320 Wis. 2d 621, ¶5."

Wisconsin Court of Appeals case, (full decision): Estate of Luis Lorenzo, by Special Administrator Wanda Rodriguez, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Kinsale Insurance Company, Intervenor-Defendant-Respondent. (2025) | FindLaw https://share.google/zMRB6MXbS4EQafZga

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2022/10/el-rey-supermarket-and-marshal-public.html

Lorenzo family press conference (July 20, 2022): https://youtu.be/IVVMPNIizAo

60-year-old Leonel Molina-Rios Sentenced To 12 Years in Prison For The November 2024 Vehicular Homicide Of James Charles Riegling, 74, In Franklin

Molina-Rios was sentenced to 12 years in prison under a plea agreement, once he completes his sentenced in Wisconsin, he will be subject for deportation to Mexico.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 22, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Leonel "Leo" Molina-Rios, 60, was sentenced to 12 years in prison with 6 years of supervision (total 18 years) for the November  2, 2024 homicide by use of vehicle with PAC (prohibited alcohol concentration) in the death of James Charles Riegling, 74, in Franklin. Under the plea agreement with prosecutors, several felony charges were dropped against Molina-Rios, but were read in the sentencing hearing.

Molina-Rios was facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines, or both.

According to the criminal complaint, Molina-Rios of Greenfield was initially charged in Milwaukee County for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and knownly operate a vehicle without a license causing the death of a 74-year-old male victim in a two vehicle crash on November 2, 2024 in Franklin.

Molina-Rios as a undocumented convicted felon is facing deportation once he completes his sentence. Molina-Rios will be subject to be deported to Mexico.

Molina-Rios is well known in the Milwaukee Latino community for being a popular Spanish Speaking radio personality and a former member of the Wisconsin Brown Berets.

Update: On June 2, 2026, the Franklin Common Council voted to suspend the liquor license of the Irish Cottage for 30 days from  September  1, 2026. A bartender from the bar served multiple drinks and beers to Leonel Molina-Rios who on November  2, 2024 then drove while intoxicated after leaving the bar and crashed into James Charlie Riegling killing him and his dog Posey.

Molina-Rios had .212 (blood alcohol content) when he was arrested and treated for injuries.

Wanted U.S.ICE Agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, Turned Himself To Hennepin County Authorities In Minneapolis, MN

USICE agent Morgan Jr. was wanted for illegally aiming his service weapon at two victims while driving erratically on the freeway.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 22, 2026

Minneapolis, Minnesota - On Thursday, May 21, 2026, wanted MAGA (Make Amerikkka Great Again) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, turned himself to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

A Hennepin County judge during an initial court hearing on Thursday prohibited Morgan Jr. from having a gun and leaving the country while the case proceeds. Morgan's bail was set at $100,000.

Morgan Jr. became the first USICE agent to be criminally charged in Minnesota for aiming a weapon at two victims while driving erratically on the freeway.

The Hennepin County criminal complaint in Minnesota was filed on April 16, 2026 against USICE agent Morgan Jr., who has been criminally charged with two state felony counts for 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. USICE agent Morgan is facing up to 7 years in prison and $4,000 to $14,000 in fines for each count, or both, if convicted on all counts.

24-year-old Christian Abdon Correa Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For 17-year-old Girlfriend Stabbing Related Criminal Charges In Franklin

Correa under a plea agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to multiple amended felony charges resulting in a 30 year sentence in prison.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 22, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Christian Abdon Correa, 24, of Franklin was sentenced to 30 years in prison for felony mayhem, which the following amended felony charges were dismissed under a plea agreement with prosecutors, but the felony charges were read in the sentencing hearing. The two dismissed charges included physical abuse of a child intentionally causing harm and strangulation and suffocation including habitual criminality repeater. Correa must serve 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervision, according to Milwaukee County court records.

Correa was previously charged for the October 27, 2023 stabbing incident of his 17-year-old girlfriend in Franklin, Wisconsin. Correa was criminally charged in 2023 for attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide with habitual criminality repeater and use of dangerous weapon; strangulation and suffocation with habitual criminality repeater; and child abuse with repeated acts to cause great bodily harm and habitual criminality repeater and use of dangerous weapon in the brutal stabbing incident. Later under a plea agreement with prosecutors to plea guilty, the initial felony charges were amended to mayhem.

On the original charges, Correa was facing up to 60-years in prison for intentional attempted homicide, and 5-years for use of a dangerous weapon: and an additional 60-years for child abuse to cause great bodily harm, and 5-years for use of a dangerous weapon; and up to 6--years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines for strangulation and suffocation. 

According to the criminal complaint, Correa stabbed his girlfriend after she broke up with him and took a knife away from her, after she tried to defend herself. Correa began to choke and beat his girlfriend when he learned that she would no longer be dating him and when she took out a knife from her pocket, Correa then was able to take it away from her and he began to stab her multiple times in the face. She suffered a fractured skull, broken nose and stab wounds to the face.

41-year-old Reinaldo Melendez Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Sexual Assault Of A Child Related Offense In Milwaukee

Melendez under a plea agreement will 5 years in prison and 5 years on supervision for reduced charges relating to sexual assault of a child.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 21, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Reinaldo Melendez, 41, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading no contest to causing mental harm child and up to 3.5 years in prison for substantial battery intend bodily harm. Both sentences to be served concurrently (at same time), which Melendez will actually serve 5 years in prison and 5 years under supervision, according to Milwaukee County court records.

Melendez will register as a sex offender for life.

In a plea agreement, Melendez pleaded no contest for a reduction of charges. He was previously charged on March 8, 2024, with one felony count of repeated sexual assault of a child (3 or more violations of 1st-degree sexual assault) between March 6, 2019 thru August 3, 2023 (4 years), according to the Milwaukee County criminal complaint.

Melendez was facing up to 60 years in prison. 

Melendez is scheduled for a Milwaukee County jury trial on May 19, 2025 at the Safety Building room 620.

According to the criminal complaint, Melendez who is the stepfather of the female child victim began to inappropriately touch her at the age of 6, immediately after meeting her mother, and would come into her bedroom at night to sexually assault her. The sexual assault incidents occurred daily during the above mentioned time period when no one was at home or everyone was sleeping. The child victim described to police that Melendez would leave hand marks on her wrists when he would hold her down to sexually assault her. The door knobs to her bedroom were removed, but Melendez would still get into her bedroom to sexually assault her, according to the criminal complaint.

The child victim's mother left to Puerto Rico and left the child with her biological father who later discovered that his daughter had been sexually molested by Melendez.

The biological father also learned that her mother knew about the repeated sexual assaults of the child victim for 4 years, but didn't report it to police.

On October 4, 2023, Melendez was sentenced to 9 months at the Community Reintegration Center (formerly the Milwaukee County House of Corrections), but the sentenced was stayed and placed on probation for 18 months. He was convicted for one felony count of fleeing or eluding an officer

Insight MATC: Lack Of Leadership And Efficiency By President Dr. Anthony Cruz, Technical College Facing Layoffs, Job Eliminations, And Possible Administrative Non-contract Renewals To Offset $2.5M Deficit In 2027

Milwaukee Area Technical College facing ongoing critical administrative concerns by the MATC faculty, triggered by the current 2026 MATC deficit reported at $2.8M (has doubled since 2023 under Dr. Cruz), including MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz's letter dated May 21, 2026, confirming that in June the technical college will begin to implement "a limited number of position eliminations" (employee layoffs), inevitably creating an employment crisis at MATC. 

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 26, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Dr. Anthony Cruz, the President of the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) in a letter to MATC employees announced upcoming layoffs, job position eliminations and the restructuring of various departments. (See attached letter images)

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) learned that last Tuesday, May 19th, a 37-year-old MATC full-time administrative assistant was terminated (position eliminated) and was walked out of her job without prior notice. She worked at MATC for 10 years, she was told that she could reapply for a job, but no open positions exist at the moment. She was given 30 days pay, but she says that it won't be enough to survive without a job, and she has a son to support too. She also told HNNUSA that her MATC insurance will also expire in 30 days. She is very distraught about her current jobless ordeal and the lack of sensitivity from the Dr. Cruz administration.

HNNUSA also learned that at least 3 other MATC employees have been also let go without any prior notice and are facing the same jobless dilemma as the MATC administrative assistant.

The lax leadership of President Dr. Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees alleged unwillingness to hold Dr. Cruz accountable has definitely led to a double deficit of $2.8M in 2026, in less then two years, while in 2023 under prior MATC President Vickie J. Martin, the technical college deficit was at $1.1M.

Also, the ongoing internal proliferation of a hostile work environment, which continues to be practiced today by the Cruz administration at MATC, including the elimination of the Office of Multicultural Student Services and the recent issues raised in regards to the gutting of the ESL, GED, 5.9/HSED programs, including MATC's teaching structure that has evolved into a technical and skilled learning curriculum provided by part-time instructors, who are not promoted as full-time instructors has definitely affected employee moral. The elimination of any credible Multicultural Student Services at MATC has also affected student recruitment, which a administration report to the MATC Board showed inflated student enrollment stats, when in fact enrollment had dropped.

The inept MATC Board of Trustees have yet to implement any credible reforms to restore any efficiency at the college.

Under MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz leadership:

• The union was reportedly notified approximately one week ago that layoffs involving faculty and paraprofessional staff were coming through the viability process. Employees are now learning that additional eliminations may soon occur, according to Carlos Aranda, a MATC Counselor. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BnWgNifAp/

• ESL, GED, 5.09/HSED programs are becoming less effective programs due to administrative gutting the programs due to deficit constraints. The 5 on 9 program is not failing, it's been allowed to fall apart by the MATC administration in Milwauke, Wisconsin.

• Students are to often left out of the decision making that's going to impact their education.

• Lack of collaboration between MATC administration and instructors reported at the recent MATC Board of Trustees meeting.

• MATC deficit under MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz more than doubled from previous predecessor (former MATC President Vickie J. Martin) in 2023 with $1.1M to today under Dr. Cruz at $2.8M in 2026 to an expected deficit of $2.5M in fiscal year 2027.

• Elimination of the Office of Multicultural Student Services, and unjustly terminating 4 student services specialists affecting Latino/Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American and Native-American students including communities without their imput, in order to comply with Trump's illegal and unconstitutional executive order eliminating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) race related programs, which multiple federal courts have ruled it was unconstitutional.

• MATC facing multiple employees discrimination complaints with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Equal Rights Division.

• MATC administration under Dr. Cruz has proliferated its hostile work environment including the practice of harassment, discrimination and retaliation against employees and instructors that file complaints or just complain.

• MATC cutting employee wages, but are being forced to work more without wage compensation.

• MATC has an all White male administration who are paid excessive wages, for example, Dr. Cruz gets $285,000 in salary per year with extras perks, eventhough, he has more than doubled the MATC deficit, since 2024.

• MATC President Cruz has ignored the communities of color demands to restore the Office of Multicultural Student Services, and has also failed to provide any particular reason why he continues to ignore the communities of color requests who actually pay his salary.

• MATC Human Resources led by Laquitha “Elle” Bonds-Jones, the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer under Dr. Cruz cut part-time employees hourly wages without their knowledge and also reduced their sick leave pay. Part-time employees had to be compensated back pay wages and earned sick leave fully pay restored. Also, Bonds-Jones was eventually caught altering MATC policies without the knowledge of the MATC Board of Trustees or the MATC Local 212 union. Dr. Cruz has declined to terminate Bonds-Jones for her alleged misdeeds at the technical college.

• Student enrollment stats intentionally inflated, despite student enrollment decline between 2025 to 2026, according to discovery made by MATC Board of Trustees who learned that misinformation was being provided to them at the April 28, 2026 Board meeting. Presentation by Phillip King, the Executive Vice-President and Provost showed an enrollment decline from 2025 to 2026, but enrollment stats were inaccurately inflated, which multiple MATC Board members criticized Phillip for providing inaccurate student enrollment stats. (MATC Board meeting video time at 2:20:00 minute to 2:50:00 minutes stamp)

• MATC Board of Trustees meeting for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the first 42 minutes of the meeting were public comments by 11 instructors, students and the MATC Local 212 union regarding their concerns and issues they are facing at MATC under Dr. Cruz's administration, at link: https://www.youtube.com/live/--C91QsctXM

• In less than 2 years at MATC, Dr. Cruz has continuously shown lack of leadership including his lack of ability to resolve major plaguing issues at the technical college, which so far, the inept Board of Trustees have failed to take any action to hold Dr. Cruz accountable.

MATC District Board Meeting: Faculty Raise Serious Concerns — AFT Local 212 https://share.google/ZW1kqIaJGjDePQuIx

Dr. Cruz Must Go!

Protests at MATC: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JbKnLLzAh/

Full HNNUSA article: https://tinyurl.com/zy8jz5k5

Gofundme Donations Sought For This Year's Fiesta Puerto Rico & Parade 2026 At Humboldt Park In Milwaukee

Facing a critical budget shortfall in 2026, the organizers of the Fiesta Puerto Rico & Parade 2026 decided to create a Gofundme account to generate donations.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 19, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Victor Huyke, the Publisher of Bi-weekly El Conquistador Latino Newspaper and sponsor of the annual Fiesta Puerto Rico & Parade 2026 in Milwaukee announced that a Gofundme account has been created at the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-fiesta-puerto-rico-celebrate-give-back to help generate much needed funds for the June 7th festival in Milwaukee.

According to Huyke, he attributed the creation of the Gofundme "due to unexpected cost overruns...and facing a critical budget shortfall", which donations generated will be used to cover required permits, artists and entertainment fees, including essential equipment and production expenses."

It's the first time Huyke has created a Gofundme account to generate funding for the Fiesta Puerto Rico & Parade. Huyke also recently sponsored the Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Serb Hall in early May.

The co-organizer of both the Fiesta Puerto Rico & Parade 2026, and the Cinco de Mayo Celebration 2026 in Milwaukee is Jose Rodriguez, according to Huyke. Huyke credited Rodriguez for this year's major success of the Cinco de Mayo Festival at Serb Hall.

This year's Fiesta Puerto Rico & Parade is scheduled for June 7, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Humboldt Park located at the 3000 block of S. Howell Ave. in Milwaukee.

42-year-old Raul Herrera Sentenced To 15-years In Prison For The May 2025 Hit-and-run Death Of Roberto Deleon, 90, In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Herrera was sentenced to 15-years in prison for the May 2025 hit-and-run death of Deleon in the Southside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 18, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On May 12, 2026, Raul Herrera, 42, was sentenced to 15-years in prison after he pled guilty to one felony count for hit-and-run involving death on April 2026 for the May 10, 2025 hit-and-run death of Roberto Deleon, 90, at the 1000 block of S. 35 Street in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Herrera will serve 8 years in prison and 7 years in supervision. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Swanson also gave him credit for 366 days incarceration.

A restitution hearing for Herrera was set for July 10, 2026.

According to the criminal complaint, Herrera and friends were drinking at a Northside bar and afterwards he was driving along S. 35 Street when he struck Deleon who was crossing the street. Herrera did not stop, but one of his passengers was able to get out of the vehicle and identified Herrera as the hit-and-run driver to police.

Herrera was later taken into custody and criminally charged.

In addition, Herrera is facing an additional 16 years in prison in another criminal case, the open felony case is set for final pre-trial on July 31, 2026.

In that criminal case, Herrera was criminally charged with one felony count for 2nd-degree recklessly endangering safety including use of a dangerous weapon, domestic abuse assessment; one felony count for intimidate a witness/domestic abuse including use of a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse assessment; one felony count for false imprisonment including use of a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse assessment; one felony count for strangulation/suffocation including use of a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse assessment; and two misdemeanor counts for battery including use of dangerous weapon and domestic abuse assessment, and disorderly conduct including use of a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse assessment. 

If convicted, Herrera is facing 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines, or both for each felony count for 2nd-degree recklessly endangering safety and intimidate a witness/domestic abuse; facing up to 6 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, or both for each felony count of false imprisonment and strangulation/suffocation; and 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines, or both for one misdemeanor count for battery, and up to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, or both for one misdemeanor count for disorderly conduct.

20-year-old Joseph David Mangert And Daniel Martínez-Labra, 18, Charged With 1st-degree Reckless Homicide For The Death Of Tyler Huddleston, 18, In Milwaukee

Mangert and Martínez-Labra have been charged in connection with the Huddleston's murder in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 14, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, both Joseph David Mangert, 20, of West Allis and Daniel Martínez-Labra, 18, of Milwaukee were each charged with 1st-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon and party to crime in connection with the May 2, 2026 homicide of Tyler Huddleston, 18, at the 2500 block of S. 62 Street in Milwaukee.

If convicted, Mangert and Martínez-Labra are each facing more than 60 years in prison for 1st-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon and party to a crime.

According to the criminal complaint, Huddleston was attending a cousin's birthday when Mangert and Martínez-Labra got into an argument regarding a 14-year-old female that was ousted from the birthday party for allegedly engaging in an inappropriate sexual behavior.

The 14-year-old girl called Mangert to pick her up and when Mangert and Martínez-Labra arrived at the scene, they began an argument with Huddleston over a cellphone that was smashed. Then, Huddleston went back inside the home.

Both Mangert and Martínez-Labra went to knock at the door wearing ski masks, that's when Mangert allegedly fired a switch converted automatic handgun striking Huddleston who died from the gunshot wounds in the kitchen of the home.

Police recovered at least 20 spent cartridges at the crime scene.

Police were able to review outdoor surveillance camera videos to identify the suspects and vehicle used. The vehicle was registered to Mangert.

Also, the 14-year-old female that was ousted from the birthday party, but was no longer at the scene when the shooting occurred, identified Mangert as the person who was wearing a white shirt over his head and holding a handgun with an extended magazine.

Martínez-Labra was booked for felony reckless  homicide at the Milwaukee County jail, also a felony warrant was issued for Mangert who remains at-large and is being sought by police.

Update: Erasing The César E. Chávez Legacy Along The S. 16 Street Business Improvement District (BID) 38 Corridor In The Southside Of Milwaukee

The César E. Chávez Legacy erased along the S. 16 Street Business Improvement District (BID) 38 corridor in the Southside of Milwaukee. Also, should the Dolores Huerta Mural be changed along S. 16 Street to reflect the vibrant and striving Milwaukee Southside Latino community?

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The S. Sixteenth (16) Street Business Improvement District (BID) 38 (formerly the S. César E. Chávez Drive Business Improvement District) and the City of Milwaukee have finally wiped out (eliminated or erased) any reference to the late United Farm Workers Union leader César E. Chávez along the S. 16 Street business district corridor. (HNNUSA article at link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/03/cesar-e-chavez-drive-bid-38-changed.html)

The S. César E. Chávez Drive street name was removed in late April by the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works and replaced with S. 16 Street along the business corridor. (HNNUSA article at link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/04/alderperson-jocasta-zamarripa-abstained.html)

The BID 38 and the City of Milwaukee decision to erase or eliminate any name reference to the late César E. Chávez who passed away 33 years ago was triggered by unproven allegations that Chávez had allegedly molested multiple young girls, who were identified in a March 2026 New York Times article as Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas who are in their 60's, that alleged Chávez had molested them when they were under 15, which their allegations went viral nationally and worldwide, that quickly sparked condemnation against Chávez who passed away three decades ago without any any criminal history of molesting young girls or rape. Chávez died as an innocent and well respected man. He was the well-known iconic leader of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) who fought against discriminatory and unfair farmworkers wages, including inhumane housing conditions at farms in California.

Also, Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of the UFW alleged in her personal Facebook account that she had a consensual sexual affair with César E. Chávez who at the time, he was married. Huerta claims, that she became pregnant and had a child from Chávez. She also claimed that Chávez later had sexually assaulted her without her consent and she also became pregnant from Chávez. Huerta admitted that she decided to give her two daughters from Chávez away to other caring families because she wanted to continue with the UFW movement. She never told a soul about her consensual affair with Chávez, a married man until 33 years after his death. Apparently when Huerta made came out public in social media, other allegations were raised that Huerta had a third child with César E. Chávez, but the child was raised by Huerta and César's younger brother, Richard who had also passed away. Huerta has not confirmed that she had a third child with César. (HNNUSA article at link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/03/ufw-labor-leader-and-activist-dolores.html)

César is not here today to respond to the allegations raised by several women and Huerta.

The real fact is, that we will never come to know the real truth stemming from the allegations, exept that Huerta confirmed, she had children with César and Richard. Huerta was married multiple times and had 11 children and two additional children with César and allegedly, a third one.

Today, a large mural of Dolores Huerta remains along the 1300 block S. 16 Street, which has become a constant reminder of Huerta having a consensual affair with César E. Chávez, who was married at the time during the UFW movement in the 1960's and 1970's, and her having several children by Chávez, which she gave away in order to continue with the UFW movement.

According to residents living in the Southside and along the S. 16 Street business corridor, Huerta is not considered a good role model today for young girls, especially when she had a consensual affair with César E. Chávez, a married man.

To continue to display Huerta's image along the S. 16 Street business corridor, it only shows the double standards that are being practiced by the S. Sixteenth Street Business Improvement District and the City of Milwaukee, including the organizations that sponsored the mural.

Should the Huerta Mural be changed to reflect the vibrant and striving Latino business corridor on S. 16 Street in the Southside of Milwaukee?

The S. Sixteenth Street Business Improvement District 38 held their annual Cinco de Mayo Outdoor Market 2026 on Sunday, May 10, 2026 along the S. 16 Street business corridor.

Posted on May 12, 2026

Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

WI State Representative Jessie Rodriguez (R) Won't Seek Re-election In The Fall Of 2026

Rodriguez announced that she won't seek re-election in the Fall of 2026.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 7, 2026

Oak Creek, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Wisconsin State Representative Jessie Rodriguez, 41, (R), actual name Yesenia Eldermira Rodriguez who represents the 21st District in the Wisconsin State Assembly announced that she won't be seeking re-election in the Fall of 2026. Rep. Rodriguez cited that she will be concentrating on spending more time with her family.

Rep. Rodriguez is originally from El Salvador, in 1985
during the civil war in El Salvador, she along with her family crossed into the U.S. illegally and settled in Massachusetts. She later gained legal status.

Representative Rodriguez has been in office for 13 years, and she recently voted to approve the bipartisan DACA Bill (Act 240) in the State Assembly, which later became law when Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) signed it into law after the Wisconsin State Senate passed it.

Representative Rodriguez became the first Republican Latina elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2013.

22-year-old Ricky Alcantara-Hernández Charged With 4 Felonies In Connection With Organizing Street Takeovers In Milwaukee

Alcantara-Hernández facing up to 43 years and 6 months in prison for organizing street takeovers, which endanger public safety in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 5, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Saturday, Ricky Alcantara-Hernández, 22, of South Milwaukee was charged with 3 felony counts for 1st-degree recklessly endangering safety including party to a crime and 1 felony count for sell/possess/use/transport machine gun in connection with organizing street takeovers on April 25 and April 26, 2026.

If convicted on all counts,  Alcantara-Hernández is facing up to 43 years and 6 months in prison and up to $85,000 in fines, or both.

Criminal complaint at link: https://mkepdpio.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Criminal-Complaint_1-Alcantara-Hernandez-Ricky-2026CF002051-Alcantara-Hernandez-Ricky_29635960_1-1.pdf

18-year-old Tyler Huddleston Fatally Shot By Automatic Gunfire In The Southwest Side Of Milwaukee

Huddleston was fatally in a barrage of gunfire in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 4, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On early Saturday, Milwaukee responded to shots fired around 1:10 a.m. at the 2500 block of S. 62 Street. When police arrived at the scene they located Tyler Huddleston, 18, with multiple gunshot wounds. Huddleston was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Nearby outdoor video surveillance cameras in the area provided to police showed someone discharging an automatic weapon. Additional door bell video footage showed several individuals at a door who believed to be connected to the shooting.

Police are seeking multiple suspects in the Huddleston's homicide.

UW-Milwaukee Proposed Implementation Of A Student Union Hub, Which Will House The Roberto Hernández Center With Other 7 Affinity Centers, In Violation Of The 1970 Accord With The Latino Community

The commitment that the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee made in the 1970 accord with the Latino community was to create a Latino cultural based educational services program to serve the much needed educational  services and the retention of Latino students at the university, which has been successfully practiced for more than 54 years, and unfortunately is now being gradually phased out under UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Gibson, who is Black.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

May 3, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Under Chancellor Thomas Gibson, the Roberto Hernández Center (RHC) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) apparently lost its executive director Alberto Maldonado, 55, who was promoted as Assistant Vice-Chancellor For Connections And Achievements within the Division of Student Affairs, and Gibson hasn't announced Maldonado's replacement as executive director at the RHC to date. Which, if Chancellor Gibson and UWM fail to replace Maldonado with a new executive director at the RHC, it would be a clear violation of the 1970 agreement between UWM and the Latino community accord of the establishment of the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI), now known as the RHC. The 1970 accord between UWM and the Latino community was that the RHC (formerly the SSOI) would have an executive director who would become the liaison between UWM and the Latino community in order to assure UWM would continue to provide adequate educational opportunities for Latinos enrolling at the university. The RHC program would also remain independent and continue to serve the Latino community and Latino students by establishing an advisory committee, which today has allegedly been phased out by the previous Chancellor Mone and under Gibson, the current Chancellor at UWM.

At no time, did the previous UWM Chancellor Mark Mone and the new Chancellor Gibson including the UWM administration informed or attempted in good faith to allegedly include the RHC advisory committee including the Latino community that the UWM decision making was moving forward under the radar to gradually begin phasing out the RHC from its current offices at Bolton Hall by merging the RHC with 7 other affinity centers, which is currently drawing a backlash from the Latino community and students of color at UWM.

The 8 affinity centers will eventually lose their current office spaces once they relocated to the Student Union Hub Center.

Chancellor Gibson's decision to move forward and allow the RHC merge with the 7 other affinity centers at the Student Union is a clear violation (betrayal) of the 1970 accord with the Latino community and Gibson must continue to follow the 1970 accord in order to prevent the Latino community from being unjustly phase out of UWM services and an open door policy to secure educational opportunities and services to the Latino community and students of color.

If Chancellor Gibson continues with his decision to merge the RHC with the 7 other affinity centers, Gibson and UWM will definitely face major opposition from the Latino community and most likely the 1970 UWM Takeover of the Chancellor's office will come back to haunt him. (HNNUSA article at link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2011/08/revisiting-1970-hispanic-takeover-at-uw.html)

In other words, if Chancellor Gibson and UWM proceed with merging the RHC in the proposed Hub Center in the Student Union, Latino community protests and demonstrations will definitely ignite again at Chapman Hall. It would be wise, for Chancellor Gibson to keep the RHC at its present offices and expand its services, since he enjoys playing Congas at the RHC. (RHC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LHQRzb1ii/)

The RHC on Saturday celebrated its PALM Graduation Gala 2026 at the Flores Hall in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Recap: UWM announced in January 2026, that it would consolidate 8 affinity centers into one student focused Hub Center in order to secure federal funding after Trump and the U.S. Department of Education engaged in their MAGA (Make Amerikkka Great Again) relentless racially motivated effort to end all related Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and had threatened to withhold federal funding from educational institutions who failed to comply and eliminate all related DEI programs. Although, multiple federal courts ruled Trump's executive order to eliminate DEI programs and threatening to withhold federal funding from educational institutions who did not comply with his order was illegal and unconstitutional. The U.S. Department of Education later confirmed that it wouldn’t appeal the federal court rulings declaring that eliminating DEI and its funding was unconstitutional because it infringed on the free speech rights of instructors in classrooms. Although, despite the federal court rulings, both the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) proceeded to eliminate their DEI related programs. MATC President Anthony Cruz decided to eliminate the Office of Multicultural Student Services and terminated 4 student service specialists serving  Latino/Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American and Native-American students in August 2025. The Office of Multicultural Student Services was replaced by the Office of Community Impact at MATC.

UWM also proceeded to merge the 8 affinity centers despite, federal court decisions that Trump's elimination of DEI related programs and threatening to withhold federal funding was illegal and unconstitutional.

When the 8 affinity centers moved into the Student Union Hub Center in the Fall of 2026, the affinity groups will gradually lose their identity structures and their known names as we know them today, and will eventually be phased out, according to allegations made by UWM students who will be affected and say that they were never taken into consideration in the UWM decision resulting in the drastic and controversial change. UWM students and numerous student organizations opposed the controversial move by UWM Chancellor Gibson in creating the 8 affinity Student Union Hub Center.

The affinity centers services will also be restructured, according to UWM students.

The legacy of the Roberto Hernández Center and its history:

The actual creation of the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI), which later became the Roberto Hernández Center at link: http://bit.ly/1hgQkaB

Historic video of the UWM 1970 Takeover and the creation of the SSOI, today the Roberto Hernández Center-UWM https://youtu.be/FzOpOxI_GKw

The RHC-UWM records from 1970 to 2021 at link: Archival Resources in Wisconsin: Descriptive Finding Aids https://share.google/9CuhUwMJJGT8p2FAC

The Latino community and UWM accords in 1970 (UWM Library archives): 

The untold story by former UW-Milwaukee students: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.: The Untold Story: La Colectiva Student Org And Latin Student Union At UW-Milwaukee Blocked Attempts To Eliminate SSOI/RHC https://share.google/pQqMKk3YYyiClnCTs

Our Historia (RHC – SSOI) Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity https://share.google/Z10lfHtRxXXEXaMY4

UW-Milwaukee proposal to establish SSOI at link: Proposal, "To establish a UWM Spanish Outreach Institute" = Propuesta: "A establecer un Instituto para hispanohablantes para UWM" - UWM Student Activism - UWM Libraries Digital Collections https://share.google/R1NyaGMGkIg4gnarX

Also: Statement, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to the representatives of the Spanish Speaking community = Declaración, de la Universidad de Wisconsin-Milwaukee a representantes de la comunidad hispanohablante - UWM Student Activism - UWM Libraries Digital Collections https://share.google/uQW9hSCqRNFtVKCBn

In addition: Revision of the original list of demands made by the Council for the Education of Latin Americans (CELA) = Revisión de la lista original de demandas del Consejo para la Educación de Latinoamericanos (CELA) - UWM Student Activism - UWM Libraries Digital Collections https://share.google/lK7MvnyYfEDUdelfY

UW-Milwaukee and CELA agreement at link: Press Release: "Council for Latin American Education and UWM announce new Spanish Speaking outreach institute" = Comunicado de prensa: "El Consejo para la Educacion de Latinoamericanos y UWM annuncian el nuevo Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute" - UWM Student Activism - UWM Libraries Digital Collections https://share.google/EPAj9cK6OKCpolW5f

Update: UW-Milwaukee Chancellor in a letter dated May 11, 2026 says that "the student cultural and identity centers will remain largely unchanged and in their current locations until 2027. This includes the Black Student Cultural Center, First-Generation+ Resource Center, LGTBQ+ Resource Center, Military and Veterans Resource Center, Off-Campus Resource Center, Roberto Hernández Center, Southeast Asian American Student Center and Women’s Resource Center." 

https://t.e2ma.net/message/rmqqpj/n7bauvzk

May 1st Day Of Action Organizers Should Adopt A National Boycott Of The MAGA Oligarchy Goods And Services

National Boycott Of The MAGA Oligarchy Goods And Services Should Be Adopted By The May 1st Organizers!

WI: It's been more than 20 years that immigrants and Latinos including allies have marched to defend our rights as stakeholders in the U.S., whether we are low income, undocumented or legal status documented immigrants and U.S. citizens of color, which we all share one thing in common, we all do pay combined taxes in our perpective cities, villages, towns, states and federal government, and we are all viewed by today's White MAGA (Make Amerikkka Great Again) oligarchy in control of our government and the White House as second class tax paying citizens simply because of the color of our skin.

The worst part, the MAGA oligarchy pays the least taxes or pay no taxes, but are in control of our government and White House, and they do spent our federal tax dollars to achieve their spending power to profit in addition to wasteful spending, voter suppression, blocking Gerrymandering majority minority voting districts, and funding the Iran war, and the Israel Zionist  government genocide of the Palestinian people including children in the Gaza, also funding the MAGA Gestapo USICE to terrorize and commit illegal and unconstitutional acts during immigration enforcement in our immigrant communities throughout the U.S., in order to intentionally disrupt our economic growth and well being.

The May 1st Immigrant Day (Día Sin Latinos) including the National Labor and Workers' Day march and action day is taking place around the U.S., which has become a major movement  for civic action.

This year on May 1st, we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Immigrant Latino movement for equal rights, immigrant rights and etc... in Milwaukee. 

Isn't it about time that our movement adopted a long term plan to "boycott" the MAGA oligarchy, corporations, retail stores, businesses, food restaurants including  grocery stores and etc... operated and own by MAGAs?

Our greatest weapon to use against the MAGA oligarchy today is our own economic empowerment and influence totalling more then $3T in spending and buying power in America.

Hopefully, local and national organizers of the May 1st annual movement do take the opportunity and call for an ongoing national boycott against any MAGA consumer products and services being offered by the MAGA status quo, in order to stop the flow of our buying cash from being used to oppress our communities of color, as we seen today. 

A list of the MAGA oligarchy boycott should be made available at organizers websites and social media pages for those participating in the May 1st, to stop buying at MAGA owned businesses and major corporations.

Our hard earned money is the root to stopping today's MAGA extremists, by simply buying and supporting businesses that welcome us, who are friendly to people of color and support our right to exist as taxpayers, consumers and stakeholders in our communities of color.

¡Viva la Causa y La Lucha Continúa!

May Day 2026 march and rally in Milwaukee,  Wisconsin at link: https://youtu.be/jldxmsS9SJI

Posted on April 30, 2026 by H. Nelson Goodson, an immigrant rights and civil rights advocate from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

ESL Program On The Chopping Block, Instructors Say MATC Going Backwards Under President Dr. Anthony Cruz, Also Technical College Facing $2.5M Deficit For Fiscal Year 2027

English as a Second Language instructors at the Milwaukee Area Technical College during a Board of Trustees public comment session asked for the full Board to act accordingly and push to reform the administration's hostile tactics that circumvent the existing ESL program services, which are affecting students of color. Also, from 2025 to 2026, student enrollment had declined under MATC President Dr. Cruz.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 28, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, multiple ESL (English as a Second Language) instructors, the MATC 212 union, and students addressed the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Board of Trustees during a Board meeting, in which they exposed the administration's hostile work environment and practices that they have endured, since MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz was hired in 2024. Especially, when administrators are gradually phasing out crucial ESL services to students of color at the technical college. In several cases, instructors weren't funded by the administration to print schedules for students, which they claimed it was unprofessional, and seems that MATC is moving backwards instead of offering better services to students. Also, the MATC registers office has failed to adequately provide services for students of color in the ESL program. Instructors have been left out from participating with administrative teams to add imput in order to provide better services for students, administrative decisions were made without considering the detrimental effects it creates when forcing instructors to implement, and many instructors are afraid to speak up because they are afraid that they will face retaliation.

Basically, the ESL instructors are facing the same administrative hostile, harassment and retaliation tactics that other MATC instructors faced in 2024, when many exposed what was happening internally between the administration and Latino instructors. (HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2024/12/african-american-network-requested-for.html)

So far, the ESL instructors are facing wage cuts for more work that is required. But, Dr. Cruz won't be facing a wage cut of his $285,000 yearly salary, including no wage cuts for his full-time administrators. 

In a letter dated April 28, 2026, to all employees, Dr. Cruz wrote that MATC is facing a $2.5M deficit for the 2027 fiscal year. According to the recently released Transformation Magazine Annual 2025 (Transformations Magazine Annual Report 2025 by MATC Communications - Issue https://share.google/poXYCVd2GwfkfrXRn) report, in 2025, MATC total revenue was $302.7M and total expense was $279.6M.

In 2023, under former MATC President Vickie J. Martin, MATC reported $1.1M debt services, in 2025, under the MATC current President Dr. Anthony Cruz, the MATC debt services had more than doubled to $2.8M, according to the Transformations Magazine Annual Report at MATC.

Dr. Cruz in his letter to employees confirmed that MATC will "reduce employee expenses through strategic hiring delays for vacant positions, academic program vitality reviews and a voluntary separation incentive program for some employees." Cruz and the Total Rewards Committee will also be addressing the rising cost of healthcare insurance.

Dr. Cruz has a history of promoting himself in his social media platforms creating smoke and mirrors to project that he is transforming MATC by providing leadership and maintaining a strong financial position for the college, and serving MATC students and supporting services. But, on the contrary, Dr. Cruz has definitely failed to reform (or replace) his alleged inept administration that has had a history of engaging in discriminatory workplace practices, creating a hostile work environment, by passing promotions from part-time to full-time positions, including harassment and targeted retaliation against those who file complaints against their supervisors or administrators.

In other words, Dr. Cruz is definitely not in touch with instructors including the communities of color and etc..

The ESL program will most likely face the same fate as the Office of Multicultural Student Service, which without prior notice to the communities of color, Dr. Cruz decided to eliminate the Multicultural Student Services, unjustly fire four student service specialists, and replaced it with the failing Office of Community Impact.

Currently, the ESL, GED and 5.09/HSED programs are gradually facing less effective program versions under the Cruz administration, which mostly likely the programs will be phased out, if the Board doesn't take action to preserve the programs for students of color.

It's evident by recent public comments made by ESL instructors and students during MATC Board of Trustees meeting that the Dr. Cruz administration continues to practice mismanagement within the technical college and has failed to cap any hostile work environment including harassment and retaliation tactics against its employees who have been facing a barrage of cuts back of programs services, are subject to fend for themselves, especially when resources to succeed are not being funneled to the instructors and programs created to service students of color including White students. The mismanagement practices by the Dr. Cruz administration has also created work related mental and health issues for MATC employees.

In previous MATC Board meetings, Carlos Aranda, a Counselor at MATC has said that instructors, especially women have endured "psychological harm, which erodes trust, undermines morale, and weakens institutional integrity." (Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KxyTkVCKL/)

Student population stats: MATC has about 63% majority minority student population including 24% of Hispanic student population.

Point of interest: An enrollment presentation by Phillip King, the Executive Vice-President and Provost showed an enrollment decline from 2025 to 2026, but enrollment stats were inaccurately inflated, which multiple MATC Board members criticized Phillip for providing inaccurate student enrollment stats. (MATC Board meeting video time at 2:20:00 minute to 2:50:00 minutes stamp)

On Tuesday's MATC District Board Meeting, faculty and staff raised serious concerns about a growing disconnect between college leadership and the needs of students. According to the meeting minutes, inaccurate information was presented by administration, prompting the Board President to caution against doing so, noting the negative impact it has on MATC’s public credibility.

Administrators, including Dr. King and Dr. Amy Shields, the Community Education Associate Dean stated they have been working collaboratively with faculty; however, many faculty members report that this has not been their experience. Several decisions—particularly within Community Education—have been made without meaningful faculty input.

A key concern is the elimination of online, blended, and virtual ESL and GED courses. These changes were implemented despite ongoing fears within immigrant communities due to increased ICE activity, as well as the realities of students balancing unpredictable work schedules. Faculty argue that removing flexible learning options places students at greater risk and may force many to drop out.

Board members Baker and Moore acknowledged communication breakdowns and noted the concerns raised by both students and faculty, including testimony from a student struggling under current conditions.

Community Education faculty continue to advocate for the preservation of these essential programs, emphasizing that ESL and GED courses are critical pathways for students working to improve their lives.

Issues raised at the MATC Board meeting 11 by instructors and students:

• First, communication failures, opportunities for meaningful dialogue have often been limited or absent. Meetings are either shortened redirected away from key topics or concluded without clear outcomes or next steps. In several instances, subject matter expertise was not fully considered, an attempt to share critical information were interrupted or deprioritized. Second, missed deadlines. Time sensitive matters, particularly those tied to program implementation. Staffing and compliance requirements have remained unresolved beyond necessary timelines. This has led to operational disruptions. Increased workflow for staff and at times negative impacts on service delivery. Third, dismissal of collaboration. There has been an active discouragement of collaboration by isolating staff and excluding relevant stakeholders from decision-making, which this lack of transparency has led to operational failures. Misalignment, reassignments of specialized roles often occur without consultation, moving faculty and staff to functions outside their intended scope, these decisions are frequently made without understanding their full impact on the overall program.

• Registration system not taking into account that ESL students need printed class schedules to follow in order to help them integrate and navigate through the technical college curriculum.

• A fundamental shift in leadership continues to disrupt services. MATC has moved away from a focus on instructional quality, to a focus on providing the bare minimum to our students. Specifically, the committee dedicated to transitioning students to college level classes has been disbanded. Decisions are being made about course hours and offerings without classroom visits or faculty consultation. Most concerning, instructors are seeing a bottom line approach that prioritizes cost-cutting over services to MATC students. 

• Reductions: For part-time, staff and for full-time faculty are increasing their workload facing wage cuts, with no increase in salary. This decision was made at the last minute and without any faculty input. Campus faculty's course schedules were submitted for approval on February and that approval was withheld with no communication by the Dr. Cruz administration until last week. 

• Along with the other departments who are involved, the administration has since taken over the planning of these processes without consulting the faculty, who execute them. And as a result, decisions are being made too late by people who do not fully understand the logistics, leaving faculty and staff to scramble to bridge the gaps at the last minute. The entire delayed decision-making, and lack of transparency has decimated more out while instructors have worked tirelessly to make these failures invisible to students. Instructors have never seen administrative decisions take such a toll on the faculty, many shed tears and reports of health issues as well as instructors contemplating, leaving MATC. This is not normal work and stress, has become the result of an organizational breakdown by the Dr. Cruz administration.

• The 5 on 9 program is not failing, it's been allowed to fall apart by the administration. It's about a total lack of oversight. It's time for the MATC Board to implement real checks and balances, including calling for an immediate investigation to the management of the 5.09 program and the restoration of the standards instructors had worked for a decade.

• Students are to often left out of the decision making that's going to impact their education.

• Administration has also unilaterally prohibited faculty and staff from providing students with digital or paper class schedules. Most English language learners need visual representations to coordinate their studies with work and daily life. 

• Last week, the MATC ESL took part in a state audit, where the interviewers expressed concerns about the intake and registration process, which the ESL students required additional time and resources as they navigate in a new country. Culture, education system and language is instrumental in their success. But, the MATC administration continues to make unilateral decisions that make assisting them (immigrant students) through existing barriers more difficult, the current approach serves administrative convenience at the expense of these students' success. The MATC Board needs to intervene and restore a collaborative student centered registration process.

• Current administrative directives regarding registration are not only failing to meet these goals, but are actively undermining them. 

MATC instructors raising concerns at Board meeting. MATC District Board Meeting: Faculty Raise Serious Concerns — AFT Local 212 https://share.google/ZW1kqIaJGjDePQuIx

MATC Board of Trustees meeting for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the first 42 minutes of the meeting were public comments by 11 instructors, students and the MATC Local 212 union regarding their concerns and issues they are facing at MATC under Dr. Cruz's administration, at link: https://www.youtube.com/live/--C91QsctXM

Meet the MATC Board of Trustees at link: Board of Directors https://share.google/PbUPAXLOiynbZzLAx