Will Macomb County emerge as the first community in Michigan to welcome Syrians
fleeing their war-torn nation?
That remains to be seen but County Executive Mark Hackel and other Macomb officials continue
to raise the banner as a “welcoming county” that seeks to boost its immigrant
population.
The county already serves as the No. 1 destination in the state for
refuges and others seeking a new life in America. In 2014, Macomb took in 40 percent of those
emigrating to Michigan, tops among the state’s 83 counties.
On Wednesday, Pam Lavers, a county assistant executive, and Macomb County Health
and Community Services Director Steve Gold attended the Welcoming Communities
Summit at the White House, organized by Welcoming America
, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for greater immigrant inclusion
at the local level.
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| Christine Sauve of Welcoming Michigan, left, is pictured at The White House with Pam Lavers, Assistant Macomb County Executive and Steve Gold, county Health and Community Services Director. |
Lavers and Gold attended the conference on behalf of the OneMacomb program,
which was launched by Hackel to embrace Macomb County’s increasing cultural
diversity. OneMacomb has already engaged in discussion on expanding opportunities
for immigrants and assisting with refugee placement within the county.
Gov. Rick Synder announced last week that he is working with the Obama
administration to bring thousands of Syrian refugees and asylees to Michigan on
an annual basis.
ready to accept Syrian refugees. Nationally, 40 communities have signed on with Welcoming
such a designation — Sterling Heights, Clinton Township and Detroit.
(elective seats in Macomb’s second-largest city and Michigan’s fourth-largest) have been outspoken in
demanding that no Syrian refugees be allowed in their already diverse city.
