The MSM continues to support illegal immigration and the invasion of our economy by the "takers".JMO

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The warm fuzzy pictures were omitted intentionally,

With 150,000 undocumented residents, Michigan has stake in U.S. debate

11:29 PM, May 28, 2013 |
By Niraj Warikoo
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

ZOOM
Kofi Myler

Part one of two.

Celestino Ramirez works, pays his taxes, and has a mortgage on his modest one-story home. The only thing that separates the 38-year-old Ann Arbor father of three from most other Americans is his immigration status.

He’s among an estimated 150,000 undocumented immigrants who live and work in Michigan, often in the shadows.

From picking blueberries in western Michigan to slicing beef in Detroit meatpacking plants to manufacturing auto parts, undocumented immigrants have become an integral part of the state’s economic and social fabric.

Living in the U.S. without legal authorization, they work in construction, landscaping, hotel housekeeping, farming, restaurants, manufacturing, and even in fast food chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s, putting in long hours to support their families.

“Michigan’s economy is utterly dependent on them,” said Ryan Bates, director at Michigan United, an immigrant advocacy group. “If you’ve eaten today, thank an undocumented immigrant.”

But others argue undocumented immigrants are a drag on the state’s economy, taking jobs away from Americans, and should be deported. Dave Agema, the Republican national committeeman of Michigan and a former state representative from Grandville, cites a study that says undocumented immigrants cost the state nearly $1 billion a year for education, welfare and other services.

The debate in Michigan mirrors the one occurring nationally as Congress and the White House weigh immigration reform that could offer a path to legalization for the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., bringing about the biggest changes to immigration law in a quarter of a century. The latest version of the main Senate immigration bill would give undocumented immigrants a 13-year path to citizenship; the House version a 15-year path.

Immigration experts, labor unions, and political leaders in both parties — including Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder — say undocumented immigrants should be given a chance to attain citizenship. This week at the Mackinac Policy Conference in Michigan, Snyder and other speakers, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, are expected to reiterate their support for immigration reform.

Legalizing undocumented immigrants would provide a much-needed economic boost by increasing wages and spending, say advocates. One study estimates legalization could lead to a $10-billion increase in gross state product over 10 years. And given that Michigan was the only state in the U.S. to have lost population over the past decade, it needs more residents, say immigrant supporters. About 70% of Americans agree that undocumented immigrants should be given a path to legalization, according to recent polls.

Immigration reform “can bring long-term economic stimulus to Michigan unequaled by any government spending or job creation program,” said Professor David Koelsch, who teaches immigration law at the University of Detroit Mercy.

'I'm not a criminal'

The number of undocumented immigrants in Michigan has jumped 500% since 1990, from about 25,000 to 150,000 today, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. In addition, the state has about 90,000 seasonal migrant farm workers, the majority of whom are undocumented. About 2% of Michigan’s workforce is undocumented, smaller than the overall U.S. rate of 5.2%.

“We want to be able to continue living here, to have our dreams,” said Ann Arbor’s Ramirez. “We want the right to have a future ... I’m not a criminal. I’m not a terrorist. I simply want to work for a better future for my children.”

Since coming to Michigan in 2000 from Mexico, Ramirez has worked in a range of jobs: cleaning rooms in hotels, cooking, dish washing, busing tables in restaurants, and doing maintenance work. He puts in long hours, at times working from 6 a.m. until after midnight, juggling two to three jobs to support his three daughters.

Ramirez realizes there are critics who say immigrants such as him are taking away jobs from American-born people. But he doesn’t buy that argument because while there are plenty of jobs available, some aren’t willing to put in the hours or perform the demanding work, Ramirez said.
There are “a lot of jobs for everyone,” he said.

Supporters of immigration reform say it will allow undocumented immigrants to spend more and create jobs.

Ramirez said he would like to buy a bigger house and possibly a car if he’s granted permission to stay in the U.S. For now, he’s tight with spending because of the uncertainty of his status.

Conflicting views

A study released Thursday by the liberal group Center for American Progress says that legalization of undocumented immigrants would economically benefit Michigan and the U.S. It would create a 10% increase in wages for undocumented immigrants that would lead to $109 billion more in local, state and federal taxes. It also would create an additional $392 billion in earnings across the U.S., resulting in a $832-billion increase in GDP over 10 years, the report said.

In Michigan, legalization would create a $10 billion increase in gross state product, a half a billion increase in taxes paid by undocumented immigrants and a $6.8-billion total increase in earnings for all state residents.

“With legalization and citizenship, undocumented immigrants will produce and earn more, pay more in taxes, boost the American economy, increase the incomes of all Americans and promote job growth,” the report said.

But some conservatives disagree.

The Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR) — a national group in Washington, D.C., founded by Petoskey physician John Tanton — says that legalizing undocumented immigrants won’t help the economy since most of them earn low wages. The group wants more deportations and a moratorium on immigration, saying it hurts American workers.

Noting that Michigan continues to have a high unemployment rate, FAIR spokesman Ira Mehlman said, “The whole purpose of immigration policy should be to protect the people who already are (legally) in this country.”
Moreover, it’s not fair to legalize people who broke the law to enter the U.S., Mehlman said.

Agema echoes that view, saying that undocumented immigration costs Michiganders money and jobs, and threatens national security. He cites a 2010 FAIR study that says Michigan spends $929 million annually for undocumented immigrants on public education, healthcare, welfare, jails and human services. The biggest cost is $314 million spent on K-12 education, with about $143 million for welfare, the study said.

While a state representative, Agema introduced several bills that would have cracked down on undocumented immigrants. He used to help run a machine shop that he said made sure to hire legal workers after a temp agency sent them undocumented workers.

“With the unemployment we have, we should do everything we can to give jobs to people who are legally here before illegals,” Agema told the Free Press.

Moreover, “we shouldn’t reward illegal behavior by allowing them to stay,” Agema said. “That’s wrong.”

But recent polls show that a clear majority of Americans support allowing undocumented immigrants to live legally in the U.S. A Pew survey released in March says 71% of Americans favor undocumented immigrants being allowed to stay. And a Gallup poll in April said seven in 10 Americans favor a path to legalization.

So does Snyder, who says that undocumented immigrants are “real people” who should not be demonized.

“Whether they’re legal or illegal, what are the appropriate steps we can deal with issues of basic humanity?” Snyder asked. “We’re talking about real people here. We’re not just talking about legal status.”

A call for reform

In Michigan, both labor and business leaders say it’s time for immigration reform.

“Our families and economy can’t wait any longer,” said Cindy Estrada, a vice president of the UAW.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce says it also supports reform to help ensure employers can hire legal workers.

Aside from the economic factor, immigration reform is important for moral reasons, Bates said. Families are being broken apart as deportations increase, and many are forced to live underground lives in fear.

“The 11 million who are here deserve basic human rights and security,” said Bates.

Peters, D-Mich., said federal immigration agencies are currently “enforcing laws that don’t make sense. They’re separating families and forcing people to live in the shadows.”

Snyder wants to make Michigan an immigrant-friendly state. His focus has been on attracting and retaining high-skilled legal immigrants in technology and science-related fields. The immigration proposals currently being debated mostly focus on the undocumented, but also are expected to deal with legal immigration.

“I don’t view this as a partisan issue,” Snyder said. “I view this as an American issue. This is who we are — people coming to our country to create great new organizations and build companies and have success. It’s the American dream.”

In Michigan, one-third of all hi-tech start-ups were founded by immigrants, ranking the state third in the country, according to the immigrant-advocacy group Global Detroit.

Experts say that immigration reform could help Michigan economically, but are concerned about how some of the specifics of the plans being considered by the Senate and White House could impact the state. For example, under a current Senate proposal, there will be an agricultural program that will allow a certain number of immigrants to immediately work legally in the U.S. because of the importance of harvesting crops for the nation’s food supply. It was negotiated by farm groups and the United Farm Workers.

But Koelsch, an immigration expert, said such a policy “rewards states with large agribusiness sectors, such as California, Florida and Texas, but would not, on balance, help Michigan as much.” Because the policy only allows a limited number of workers, many in Michigan may not be able to qualify, which could lead to a shortage of migrant farm workers here, he said.

Also, the Senate proposal lacks plans that could specifically help Michigan, Koelsch said. He would like to see the U.S. government finance and partner with the state and groups like Global Detroit and Welcoming Michigan to offer housing assistance and loan forgiveness for educated immigrants to settle here.

“The next six months will determine the fate of immigration policy for a generation,” Koelsch said. “The needs and strengths of Michigan need to be heard in that debate.”

In recent weeks, half a dozen rallies have been held by undocumented immigrants in southeastern Michigan calling for immigration reform. About 500 immigrant advocates from Michigan traveled by bus to Washington, D.C., in April for a national immigration rally.

Ramirez hopes any path to legalization will include people like them. But regardless of what happens with the immigration bills, he and others will continue to speak out.

“I’m undocumented,” said Ramirez. “But I’m not afraid anymore.”

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com,
http://www.freep.com/article/20130528/NEWS06/305280014

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