Michigan’s economic future may hinge significantly on immigration, as highlighted in a recent report by the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP). The report underscores the essential role immigrants play in driving the state’s economic growth.
Scott Preston, a senior policy analyst for immigration and criminal justice reform at MLPP, emphasized Michigan’s reliance on immigrants. He noted, “We often get bogged down in this debate about, you know, whether someone is here with a documented status or undocumented. But that debate sort of misses the larger point. We really simply haven’t funded or set up our immigration system to adequately provide enough legal routes to meet the labor demand our economy has.”
The report points out that welcoming immigration policies could mitigate the anticipated population decline in Michigan after 2030. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants were responsible for nearly 60% of the state’s population growth between 2012 and 2022, and more than 80% have been residents for over five years.
The Growing Michigan Together Council highlights that Michigan has struggled with population growth, ranking second-to-last nationally over the past three decades. This decline impacts the state’s workforce, tax revenue, social service sustainability, and political influence, according to Preston.
Preston also pointed out the fear instilled by Trump Administration policies in immigrant communities, affecting daily activities and decisions. He stated, “It means normal aspects of everyday life really become this terrible calculation where you have to weigh is it worth leaving the house in order to get the food I need, if it means I could be separated from my children and sent to a potentially dangerous situation.”
Immigrants are crucial in filling labor shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. Preston noted the pressing need for 800 additional physicians by 2030 to maintain current healthcare standards, warning, “So without immigrants, we’re going to be facing longer wait times for health care and more expensive elder care.”
The report highlights that immigrants constitute:
- 14% of Michigan’s auto manufacturing workforce
- 28% of the state’s physicians
- 30% of software developers in Michigan
Immigrants also play a significant role in the construction and farming industries and are more inclined to start businesses compared to native-born citizens. Their contributions extend to about $2.5 billion in state and local taxes, bolstering Michigan’s economy.
To enhance immigration’s positive impact, the MLPP report suggests several policies, such as:
- Reducing barriers for driver’s licenses
- Supporting H1-B visas for specialized workers
- Improving language access and educational programs
- Facilitating credential transfer equivalency
- Providing childcare, transportation, English language courses, and case management
Creating a more inviting environment involves halting local mass deportation campaigns, as Preston explained. “Stopping the campaign of mass deportation at the local level is also part of creating a more welcoming environment that is attractive to people that we need in the state,” he said, noting that around 70% of undocumented immigrants live in mixed-status households.
Another recommendation includes repealing 287G agreements, which involve local law enforcement in federal immigration duties, to help bolster the immigrant workforce.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency maintains that its primary mission is to secure national borders and uphold the integrity of the immigration system, considering enforcement crucial to the nation’s safety and security.
—
Read More Michigan News
