During a rapid-fire question segment at a WISDOM gubernatorial forum in Pewaukee, every Democratic candidate for governor publicly stated support on Monday for giving driver’s licenses and in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants. When asked whether illegal immigrants should receive driver’s licenses and in-state tuition, all Democrats on stage held up the yes side of a yes/no sign.
The forum featured the six Democratic candidates still in the race after Missy Hughes suspended her campaign earlier that day. One Republican primary candidate, Andy Manske, also participated, but did not support giving illegal immigrants driver’s licenses or in-state tuition.
WISDOM, the host organization, has long advocated for expanded benefits and protections for illegal immigrants in Wisconsin. The event drew a few hundred attendees and focused on criminal justice, environmental issues, and immigration policy.
Several Democratic candidates have long records of supporting these policies. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley backed efforts as a state representative and later as county executive to allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez has also publicly discussed restoring driver’s licenses and expanding in-state tuition access for undocumented and DACA students as part of her campaign platform. Socialist candidate Francesca Hong has similarly listed driver’s licenses and in-state tuition among her priorities in recent campaign videos and posts.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has previously supported allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, calling the policy “common sense.” Evers included the measure in his 2019-2021 budget proposal.
Tom Tiffany strongly condemned the positions taken by the Democratic candidates. He argued that these policies reward illegal immigration, strain state resources, and weaken public safety — positions he has repeatedly highlighted on the campaign trail, including his pledge to ban sanctuary jurisdictions if elected governor.
