[mkfarnam]

"Debate Over Immigration Law"

It's an issue in one state that's captured the attention of the nation. Now it's a controversial topic here in Michigan- how to deal with illegal immigrants. A problem just for the feds to battle? Not anymore. Arizona has enacted tough new laws to crack down on people there illegally and there are Michigan lawmakers want to follow their lead. Some call it a state under siege. Others say it's all overblown. This much isn't in dispute, Arizona's new state law to crack down on illegal immigrants has sparked nationwide controversy. Thousands have protested, both for and against. Boycotts of Arizona events, products and businesses are being pushed even by its neighboring state.

Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Mayor: "We fear what Arizona did will spread to other states. We need to act swiftly and strongly."



Debate Over Immigration Law - WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM |

[Wingnatic]

If you let one group get away with it (mexicans) is it fair to not let other groups get away with coming here illegally ? It's not fair to the people who file the paperwork and wait for an answer to come here legally . We are a nation of immigrants . By far the ones who come here illegally from Mexico are looking for a better life , low paying jobs , and are probably so busy doing manual labor they wouldn't have time to get into any trouble . I don't want to come across as insensitive , but they are making our laws a farce . I know their thinking about tweaking the law where someone here illegally that gives birth to a child here will not make that child an automatic U.S. citizen .

I say make it easier for them to come here legally if only to do seasonal work . Put up some mini Immigration offices along key points of the border , document the ones who come over for seasonal work (work visa's ) and do the regular paperwork for those who want permanent status and let them go home and wait for an answer like everyone else . Then after that , your caught here illegally 1st time is a free ride to the border after you've been fingerprinted , photographed , and through an interpretor explained that if your caught here again illegally you'll be allowed to stay but behind bars for a year or so .
In some countries if you caught crossing the border illegally , 1st time you are going to jail or maybe to save money you are shot . We have a unique situation in the U.S. where we share very long land borders , nobody is saying they can't come here , but I'd like to make it easier for them . I believe Michigan has a voluntary program for employers to report in to the State any employee's that aren't citizens that work for them . I don't think there is a one answer remedy , but I think employers reporting who works for them , don't hire undocumented workers , make it easier for them to come here , etc. We all know how slow the Government works here , so speed it up for those who want to come here legally for work/seasonal work .
Mexico has become a very dangerous place to live , and the drug violence has spilled over to the U.S. and the Mexican President is critical of our immigration policies ? When's the last time you've heard anyone from here wanted to immigrate to Mexico ? lol Less than a year ago a Ford plant in Mexico hired a few hundred Mexican citizens on a temporary basis , they knew the jobs wouldn't last and when they got laid off had a big protest lol ! ummmmmmmm .........too bad ?

[malamute]

A good question would be - why would a state with 14% unemployment rates be trying to import illegals to work dirt cheap?

[darstar]

Originally Posted by malamute

A good question would be - why would a state with 14% unemployment rates be trying to import illegals to work dirt cheap?

SW Michigan depends on migrant, legal, illegal workers....and , they do not work all that cheaply. In many cases the Fruit farmers have become dependent on the skills provided by these seasoned workers.
Many of them work under contract as independent contractors, and some work for a service provider to the ag. industry.....The problems of social services remains , the system IS broken and needs to be redirected to address this.

[cocytus]

Apparently a bad economy,a shrinking population and a crumbling infrastructure aren't ENOUGH problems for Michigan.Now they seem to be inviting some more.
If they pass the same law as AZ,I predict this will hurt Michigan's already fragile economic.
On the other hand,it will satisfy the "Keep Michigan White" crowd..so I guess there IS a positive in this...LOL

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

"Debate Over Immigration Law"

It's an issue in one state that's captured the attention of the nation. Now it's a controversial topic here in Michigan- how to deal with illegal immigrants. A problem just for the feds to battle? Not anymore. Arizona has enacted tough new laws to crack down on people there illegally and there are Michigan lawmakers want to follow their lead. Some call it a state under siege. Others say it's all overblown. This much isn't in dispute, Arizona's new state law to crack down on illegal immigrants has sparked nationwide controversy. Thousands have protested, both for and against. Boycotts of Arizona events, products and businesses are being pushed even by its neighboring state.

Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Mayor: "We fear what Arizona did will spread to other states. We need to act swiftly and strongly."



Debate Over Immigration Law - WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM |

I live in Arizona. Was born and raised here but I lived in MI for five years too so I check out the forum fairly often.

It was a big surprise to all of us when our governor signed SB1070 into law BUT we...for the most part...were really glad to see this illegal problem brought to the attention of the government and country. We've watched this problem escalate over the past decades but nobody seemed to be doing anything about it. In 2008 the state passed the Employer Sanction law that required employers to use E-verify to verify citizenship. At first they did some employer sweeps, even while employers were crying the blues about losing their laborers. Over time, however, they sloughed it off and we do hear about illegal busts now and then but not very often.

We have always had a 'guest worker' law here and it worked well for a long time. We have lost a great deal of our agriculture, and the jobs that went with it, due to so many new subdivisions going in...which eventually become small towns...so agricultural workers are no longer needed in large supply. BUT, over the years, the illegals have branched out into the hospitality, construction, and other service businesses so it's no longer a fact that they are doing "jobs Americans won't do".

Any boycotts aren't necessarily going to work. For every person who says they'll boycott us we have a dozen who say they'll vacation here because they support us, and the law.

ICE needs to get their "stuff" together too. Most of the time they don't even bother to respond when illegals are reported...unless they are known criminals.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by darstar

SW Michigan depends on migrant, legal, illegal workers....and , they do not work all that cheaply. In many cases the Fruit farmers have become dependent on the skills provided by these seasoned workers.
Many of them work under contract as independent contractors, and some work for a service provider to the ag. industry.....The problems of social services remains , the system IS broken and needs to be redirected to address this.

The fact is being in the USA illegally.
There's always been a workers program,,H1B and H2B. If they can't go through the legal process, they don't deserve to work in this country.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

The fact is being in the USA legally.
There's always been a workers program,,H1B and H2B. If they can't go through the legal process, they deserve to work in this country.

The State Of Michigan has try-ed to do southing about the illegal workers. State troopers has retained them, so has the County Sheriff's. The problem was , what do they do with them?... The feds in Grand Rapids said," no, we do not have anyplace to keep them"...so they were released, back on the streets, driving with no insurance, no license, and w/ family over taxing the medical facilities in South Haven.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by darstar

The State Of Michigan has try-ed to do southing about the illegal workers. State troopers has retained them, so has the County Sheriff's. The problem was , what do they do with them?... The feds in Grand Rapids said," no, we do not have anyplace to keep them"...so they were released, back on the streets, driving with no insurance, no license, and w/ family over taxing the medical facilities in South Haven.

So just let them go on breaking our laws and let them do what they please??

[darstar]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

So just let them go on breaking our laws and let them do what they please??

Yes, the State does not have the resources, nor the authority as far as addressing the legal status of being in the United States,. The State can arrest them ( hard to tell just who is illegal and who is not) for driving infractions, etc. , but reality sets in at some point, ...there are just too many to put in jail.... The current thought of local authorities is live and let live..... They buy houses,cars,groceries,and other services. They have kids in the local schools, and friends-relatives who are legal. Many do pay taxes at some level. Many of the farmers provide housing, dorms., and some medical, and treat most workers fairly. Farmers with hold from their paychecks taxes, but the workers never come back to collect or file anything.
It is a problem no doubt , but it must be handled at the Federal level. Yes, the local farmers, restaurants, and others, DO profit by hiring them, but its gone on way too long to do anything about a Federal mandated problem, at a local level.....The Illegals just keep comming.... If a major crime is committed, they are arrested, at lest that IS being done.
You need to spend a week in SW Michigan rural counties to see what IS going on, and to see how the local residents are coping with this problem. better yet , just spend a day in Bangor, that will open you eyes quickly.