They work construction, landscaping, hotel housekeeping, farming, restaurants, manufacturing, and even in fast food chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s, the Detroit Free Press notes.
We're talking about undocumented immigrants in Michigan, and today, they number about 150,000, up 500% since 1990.
Niraj Warikoo of the Detroit Free Press writes that some in Michigan feel they are essential to our economy. Others argue they are a drag on the economy and should be deported.
“Michigan’s economy is utterly dependent on them,” Ryan Bates, director at Michigan United, an immigrant advocacy group, tells the Freep. “If you’ve eaten today, thank an undocumented immigrant.”
The Freep writes:
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.
