LANSING – Vibrant ethnic communities are idea and jobs makers, Governor Rick Snyder said Monday in a major speech outlining his goal that the state embrace the immigrant population.
Michigan can look at its industrial past to learn about the large role immigrants played in the state’s last major reinvention, Snyder said, and that can be repeated if the state reaches out to those born outside the United States.
Speaking at Wayne State University for the New Michigan Media Conference on Immigration and Michigan’s Economic Future, Snyder outlined a new Global Michigan Initiative housed under the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Department of Civil Rights.
Among the goals of the initiative is to keep students from other countries in the state after graduation and connect ethnic communities with various economic development groups and venture capitalists.
Growing up in Battle Creek, Snyder relayed the story of not knowing what a bagel was until he went to college at the University of Michigan.
Most people take trips to Greektown or Mexicantown, or even eating a paczki, for granted, Snyder said. The same goes for Michigan companies started by immigrants that include Dow Chemical, Meijer and Masco Corporation.
“What’s the next paczki? We want to see those communities grow,” he said. “Instead of the popular perception about losing jobs to immigrants; we have to get over that.”
Many of the star Silicon Valley companies have at least one foreign national as a founder, the governor noted. He also said Michigan should reach out to its refugee population to see how the state can make it easier for people to work in the profession they were trained for before they were forced to leave their home country.
Snyder made it clear he doesn’t want the state to engage in a debate about illegal immigration. He said good leadership should stand up and embrace immigration in a positive way and introducing state legislation similar to Arizona’s controversial law is “really unfortunate.
“It’s just creating divisiveness,” he said, adding it’s his belief illegal immigration is an issue the federal government should work out.
There has again been a push in the Legislature to have businesses with government contracts as well as temp agencies confirm the citizenship of their workers, the so-called E-verify bills (HB 4024 , HB 4026 ) although it appears to have stalled.
Snyder said Michigan must take its diversity and make it “a power.”
He said it’s his hope a Cultural Ambassadors Program started by Ann Arbor SPARK would become a statewide initiative. The program markets cultural events and matches leaders in those ethnic groups with opportunities to be more involved in their geographical community, such as being a member of the United Way board.
Taking a note from his business background, Snyder said he wants to see “happy customers” among the immigrant population because they will be part of selling Michigan globally.
The governor also challenged those in the audience to reach out to five other people and start a conversation about immigration and what actionable items can be taken. He said audience members shouldn’t just walk away saying the conference was “nice.”
“I’ve got my five. I hope you do too,” he said.
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