TRAVERSE CITY — Supporters of increased immigration are warning that hostile federal policies could leave Michigan’s economy worse off.
A new report from the Michigan League for Public Policy shows that a total pause in migration would cause the state’s population to decline in the coming years.
Monique Stanton, CEO of the League, says in a statement that policies welcoming to immigrants can lead to community and economic growth.
Stanton also pointed to federal immigration policies under the Trump administration that she says have created an environment of fear and uncertainty among different communities.
“Tactics meant to make immigrants feel unsafe and unwelcome are not only inhumane, they weaken our communities and hamper economic growth,” she said. “Immigrants are valued community members and they are crucial for Michigan’s economic future.”
Federal policies from the Trump administration have helped contribute to around a projected 33% drop in the enrollment of international students nationwide.
The Trump administration has proposed policies that they say will curb “visa abuse” and allow the Department of Homeland Security to better vet applicants.
“For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement last year.
International students have also been subject to scrutiny for what they say is protected speech, and sometimes arbitrary detention.
Jacob Wheeler is editor of the Glen Arbor Sun, a Leelanau County newspaper. He says that local economies are heavily dependent on labor that is largely performed by immigrants.
“Our tourism economy needs workers to work in shops, work in restaurants, clean houses, clean resorts,” he said. “None of this work gets done without the hard working, honorable, diligent workers, many of whom have recently settled here.”
Wheeler also highlighted the work of immigrants in industries like agriculture.
The League for Public Policy’s report says that close to 20,000 immigrants a year do seasonal farm work around the state.
“Without these hard working neighbors — who also send their kids to our public schools and contribute to the tax base — without them, we can’t really call ourselves the Cherry Capital of the World,” Wheeler said.