Michael’s Frozen Custard on Monroe Street to close after owner’s spouse denied visa

by | Aug 28, 2019 | 0 comments

The husband of Michael’s Frozen Custard owner Michael Dix is the latest victim of the Trump Administration’s ongoing crackdown against immigrants.

Sergio De La O Hernandez has been running the day-to-day operations at the local chain’s Monroe Street location since the two were married in 2015. Hernandez had already been living in the United States for over 30 years, having arrived without documentation to seek work. He has lived in Wisconsin ever since, has no criminal record, and has a college-age daughter living in the country.

When Hernandez returned to Mexico in August for a visa interview, he was denied that and re-entry to the U.S. Dix had sponsored Hernandez so that he could obtain legal status. After the request was denied, the couple filed a waiver to excuse the years Hernandez spent in the U.S. without authorization and to show there would be undue hardship for Dix if Hernandez could not return. Their attorney, Jessica Slind, said that waiver was denied Aug. 14, and she plans to file an appeal within the 30-day time frame.

Meanwhile, Dix has said that he intends to stay with Hernandez in Mexico and that the Monroe Street location of the business, which has seen significant decline since Hernandez was forced to leave, will close Sept. 9. The custard and burger joint has been a fixture in the near west side neighborhood for 33 years

“My separation from Sergio has been extremely painful for both of us and has been disastrous for my business,” Dix said in a statement.

“His hardship waiver should have been approved,” Slin told the Wisconsin Examiner, “We were shocked. I’ve submitted cases far less compelling than this and got approvals. So for this case be denied, I was not prepared for that.

Slin also cites concerns for Dix’s physical and mental health, which have been delicate especially since he began having to travel back and forth from the U.S. to Mexico to see his husband. There are also concerns about their safety as they’re forced to remain in a country where the environment for LGBTQ people is especially dangerous.

Meanwhile, residents of the Monroe Street neighborhood are shocked by the decision to bar Hernandez from returning to his home and the impending closure of the business.

“They were good neighbors,” longtime neighbor Janine Frank told the Wisconsin Examiner. “I hope it makes people think about how immigration affects all of us.”

Article Tags

MGHA tournament
Advert 77
National Women\'s Music Festival

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advert 77
National Women\'s Music Festival
MGHA tournament

Latest News

Queer Joy Book Club

Queer Joy Book Club

A Q&A with the Social Media Administrator, Jamie Butler, about a monthly meetup at the Goodman South Madison Public Library. The Queer Joy Book Club strives to be inclusive by considering books available in the Madison library system that have an e-reader option, an audiobook option, or even a graphic novel.

TRACE Your Transition

TRACE Your Transition

Madison-born Taylor Greene (he/him) has created the world’s first mobile application for transgender and non-binary individuals. TRACE is an acronym representing the app’s purpose: Transition, recording, and community engagement.

Camp & Glamp Adventures

Camp & Glamp Adventures

Like so many, Nichie Bendt and Terri “Zeke” Zeman survived the isolation and disruption of Covid by finding ways to stay connected to their community (and to sanity) by getting outside and finding peace and joy through camping and outdoor adventures. They have now started a Brooklyn, Wisconsin-based hospitality business rooted in luxury camping accommodations and the creation of memorable experiences.

LGBTQ-owned madison Restaurant Harvest to Remain Closed

LGBTQ-owned madison Restaurant Harvest to Remain Closed

The pandemic and subsequent hardships with inflation, changing consumer habits, and difficulty keeping staff have caused the closure of Madison institution: Harvest. The fine dining establishment on the Capitol Square had been a staple for 20 years. The owner, Tami...

A Year of Crucial Elections

A Year of Crucial Elections

It’s 2024, and Americans are bracing for a contentious, ugly election year. The ugliness at the national level is well covered, but many LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites are bracing for their own key elections as state and local officials go head to head, many citing recent anti-gay and trans rhetoric and legislation as a reason to fear the outcomes, should right-wing candidates win.

Project celebrates the legacy of the Gay Rights State

Project celebrates the legacy of the Gay Rights State

Madison, WI - Did you know? Sunday, February 25th is the 42nd anniversary of Wisconsin becoming the first Gay Rights State in the nation. On February 25, 1982, Governor Lee Dreyfus passed Assembly Bill 70 into law, banning discrimination against gays and lesbians in...

Latest News

VIEW ALL LATEST NEWS

DCHS Wildlife Center

Events

SUBMIT AN EVENT

VIEW ALL EVENTS

Jobs

SUBMIT A JOB POSTING

VIEW ALL JOBS

Popular Tags

Pin It on Pinterest