Mich. gov: Ariz.-type immigration law not needed

DETROIT, May 19, 2011 (AP): Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder told an audience of Latino business leaders that the state doesn't need an immigration enforcement law like the one causing controversy in Arizona.

Snyder told members of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Thursday in Detroit that such a law would ``encourage a divisive atmosphere.''

Arizona's law was passed last year amid years of complaints that the federal government hadn't done enough to lessen the state's role as the nation's busiest entry point for undocumented immigrants. Its passage has sparked protests, boycotts, and lawsuits seeking to overturn the law and a debate about whether the law would lead to racial profiling.

Gov. Rick Snyder

Gov. Snyder’s opposition to AZ-style immigration law applauded

Detroit: On May 19, 2011 at the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual public policy breakfast at the Detroit Athletic Club, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder fielded questions regarding proposed anti-immigrant legislation in Michigan.

After a speech which highlighted the contributions of Latino businesses to Michigan’s economy and the importance that immigrants are playing in Michigan’s economic recovery—including the southwest section of Detroit—local business owners pressed the governor on Arizona-style legislation introduced in the state legislature, HB 4305.

Governor Snyder explained his opposition to the Arizona-style legislation, stating that it was unnecessary and “would encourage a divisive atmosphere” in an already divided state.  Governor Snyder also noted that there were currently over 10,000 Latino-owned businesses in Michigan, a fact which he felt deserved more attention in order to help these businesses grow.

The governor's comments were met with enthusiastic applause from the pro-business audience, which was comprised of many of the top Latino corporate leaders in Michigan.

The Governor also reminded the audience that though Michigan was the only state to lose population according to the most recent census, the Latino population in the state actually grew by 30 percent, helping to stave off even greater loses in the state’s overall population.

“We’re glad to see that Governor Snyder understands the economic cost an Arizona-style law would have here in Michigan.  Immigrants are building businesses, paying taxes, and helping to put our state back to work. We should have policies that welcome those investors and entrepreneurs, not treat them like criminals. 

“We applaud Governor Snyder’s stance on this important economic and civil rights issue. He is setting a good example for forward-thinking leaders at a time when politicians in states like Arizona and Georgia have decided instead to embrace the politics of fear and division,” said Ethraim Cash Brammer, a leader of the AIR coalition and administrator at Wayne State University, who was in attendance at the event.

On the Internet: www.michiganimmigrationreform.org

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Revised: 10/12/11 20:40:13 -0700.