I’ve been remiss in not writing about the hearty endorsement for
Rick Snyder’s immigration plan that was delivered by the influential online Bridge
Magazine (bridgemi.com) and, more specifically by Phil Power, the former
newspaper publisher and University of Michigan regent.
Rick Snyder’s immigration plan that was delivered by the influential online Bridge
Magazine (bridgemi.com) and, more specifically by Phil Power, the former
newspaper publisher and University of Michigan regent.
Power, founder of the Center for Michigan policy group, wrote that Snyder’s plan to encourage more
immigration for Michigan, and for Detroit in particular, is “spot on” as a smart economic
strategy.
immigration for Michigan, and for Detroit in particular, is “spot on” as a smart economic
strategy.
He could have added that the governor has bravely taken these
measures in the face of staunch anti-immigration views within his Republican
Party.
measures in the face of staunch anti-immigration views within his Republican
Party.
The statistics show that the U.S. and our state have
benefited greatly from immigrant-driven economic success.
benefited greatly from immigrant-driven economic success.
Power’s recent column for Bridge pointed out that the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has provided financial support for the
Global Talent Retention Initiative of Michigan, a pioneering international
student program. It encourages the best and brightest of the more than 25,000
foreign-born students at Michigan universities — many of them studying
engineering and math — to stay after graduation.
Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has provided financial support for the
Global Talent Retention Initiative of Michigan, a pioneering international
student program. It encourages the best and brightest of the more than 25,000
foreign-born students at Michigan universities — many of them studying
engineering and math — to stay after graduation.
The Snyder administration has also developed a series of
online guides for those new Americans seeking professional licensing which help
them maneuver through the red tape.
online guides for those new Americans seeking professional licensing which help
them maneuver through the red tape.
Here’s a portion of what Power had to say:
“To his credit, Snyder has been talking about welcoming
immigrants ever since his first State of the State back in 2011. This time, however,
he called for creating a ‘Michigan Office for New Americans’ to help educated,
talented and ambitious immigrants, and he urged federal approval for a visa
program to help provide a path to citizenship for entrepreneurial immigrants
who come with at least $500,000 in capital to invest in new businesses.
immigrants ever since his first State of the State back in 2011. This time, however,
he called for creating a ‘Michigan Office for New Americans’ to help educated,
talented and ambitious immigrants, and he urged federal approval for a visa
program to help provide a path to citizenship for entrepreneurial immigrants
who come with at least $500,000 in capital to invest in new businesses.
“Indeed, the metrics of what immigrants have done here
are impressive – even to a numbers guy. From 1995-2005, one quarter of all
high-tech start-ups in the U.S. were founded by non-native-born entrepreneurs —
fully half of all such firms in Silicon Valley.
are impressive – even to a numbers guy. From 1995-2005, one quarter of all
high-tech start-ups in the U.S. were founded by non-native-born entrepreneurs —
fully half of all such firms in Silicon Valley.
“In Michigan, where only 6 percent of our population
today is foreign born, a radically disproportionate 32 percent of high-tech
start-ups from 1990 to 2005 were founded by immigrants!
today is foreign born, a radically disproportionate 32 percent of high-tech
start-ups from 1990 to 2005 were founded by immigrants!
“In fact, nearly one-sixth of all businesses started in
Michigan between 1996 and 2007 were launched by immigrants; in all, those 2,276
firms generated $1.5 billion in one year alone.”
Michigan between 1996 and 2007 were launched by immigrants; in all, those 2,276
firms generated $1.5 billion in one year alone.”
