"Open the welcome mat" to foreigners, the governor says, reinforcing a pro-immigration message voiced since he took office.
Bringing more immigrants into the state is a key to economic growth, he said Friday at the Detroit Athletic Club, Niraj Warikoo reports in the Freep.
Gov. Rick Snyder"People think they're taking jobs," Snyder said, "but the reality is that they create jobs. Immigration and economic development -- they go hand in hand. . . . Please come here."
The governor made his remarks at an immigration forum . . . organized by the University of Detroit Mercy law school.
Support for legal immigration to the state was a bipartisan message, Warikoo writes.
U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, a Bloomfield Township Democrat who also spoke at the forum, echoed Snyder's belief that immigrants can help Michigan.
Some "try to demonize this issue and divide people," Peters said.
Division and bitterness sprout in reader comments under a pickup of the article by the Lansing State Journal, a corporate cousing to the Free Press. These are among reactions:
- "I say when he can find jobs for americans , that will be a sure way of improving the economy, at least we will spend our hard earned money here, and not be sending it to relatives that don't even live here." -- Steve Newcombe of Portland, Mich.
- "Wait, what are they going to do for work?" -- Mary Gersten of Fort Gratiot, Mich.
- "Nice. Lets get more Arab-owned party stores." -- Michael Dyer of Ada, Mich.
- "I have two grandsons looking for jobs. And the guv wants to bring in immigrants?" -- Joyce Hoedeman
- "This is why I won't vote anymore. They all get elected and become traitors." -- Diane Sims
