A “immigration compact” that calls for” sensible” federal policy reforms while highlighting the economic value of immigrants was made known by former president Donald Trump’s visit to downtown Grand Rapids on Tuesday, less than a year later.
Business leaders continue to believe that foreign-born residents play a vital role in expanding the local talent swimming and economy despite West Michigan being thrown into the federal immigration debate following an unauthorised immigrant’s admitted murder of a 25-year-old.
” Our immigration plan is obsolete, poorly managed and ill enforced”, Rick Baker, senator of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, said in a speech to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. Our country requires a safe border and a functioning system to help those who seek opportunity to enter. The organization group has a responsibility to fulfill. We can argue that immigration benefits our communities and support just policies that provide for safety and peaceful entry.
Immigration has been a priority for the greater Grand Rapids company area for a number of years as a way to boost the local economy and complete expertise spaces, most recently when the Grand Rapids Chamber’s CEO Council introduced the Michigan Compact on Immigration. Grand Rapids Chamber leaders “reaffirmed” the small next month.  ,
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Five principles serve as the foundation for state and federal legislation debates, according to the small. Big chambers of commerce in Michigan, personal companies, and industry associations representing a range of business are among the members.
According to Baker,” The growing division makes it harder to improve options, but these are the days when we need to undertake to speaking with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle,””.
In September 2023, the American Immigration Council and the Grand Rapids Chamber and the West Michigan CEO Council released a statement claiming that Kent County’s increase in immigrant population has increased spending power and efforts to the national security online. In 2019, 8.9 % of Kent County’s people were immigrants. According to the report, immigrants in the county made$ 1.7 billion and were left with$ 1.3 billion in spending power after$ 166.33 million went to federal taxes and$ 142 million to local taxes, respectively.  ,
The top five countries of origin for immigrants in Kent County were Mexico, Guatemala, Vietnam, Bosnia and India, according to the document.  ,
As well, emigration was the crucial contributor to West Michigan’s community growth last year, according to latest U. S. Census information. The online international migration to Kent County grew from 23 people in 2020 to 1, 838 in 2023, representing more than 75 % of the state’s population growth last year.
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But, Trump’s statement Tuesday served as more of a political protest to mock the Biden administration’s border plan. Trump’s visit was criticized by Democrats as escalating stress and causing department.
As expected, Trump brought up the death of 25- year- ancient Ruby Garcia on Tuesday, who was shot to death and dumped on U. S. 131 on March 22 in Grand Rapids. Brandon Ortiz- Mieux, who was found to get living improperly in the U. S., admitted to murdering Garcia and was arraigned last year, WOOD- TV8 reported.
Trump repeatedly referred to immigration coverage under President Joe Biden as a “border bloodbath” during a live stream of the statement that he claimed would end if he were elected.  ,
Trump referred to newcomers who illegally enter the country from the U.S. Mexico border as” the bad ones are coming in at a stage no one thought was possible.”  ,
In his Tuesday conversation, Trump surrounded a group of Democratic politicians and local law enforcement authorities, saying they are a part of putting an end to immigration-related crimes committed by illegal immigrants into the country. Those flanking Trump on level included state Rep. Matt Hall, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former Congressman and U. S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, U. S. Rep. John James, past Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, and deputies from Van Buren County and Allegan County.
According to Trump,” We’re going to work out a national immunity for police so they can do their jobs without losing their homes and income.”
In response to Trump’s attend, an immigrant-led organization called Movimiento Cosecha held a pro-immigrant protest in city Grand Rapids.  ,
If Trump is elected in November for a second term, he claims he had limit legal immigration and halt illegal emigration.
According to Movimiento Cosecha Community Organizer Gema Lowe, it’s crucial for us to hold a protest in favor of refugees because Trump’s supporters and Trump himself have called us criminals. We come to work and accept jobs that are n’t offered to people who were born here because we want to improve the country.
Lowe noted that immigrant labour is especially important for industries like agriculture and construction.  ,
” We presently enrich the fabric of our societies and it’s important to show our history from refugees, contrary to what Trump and his supporters are portraying”, Lowe said.  ,
Trump is using Ruby Garcia’s dying as” a political sound bite of love toward newcomers”, Lowe added.
” It’s really horrible and we feel quite strongly and terrible about Ruby Garcia,” Lowe said.” It’s not the description of the entire immigrant community.” ” That’s why it’s crucial for us to communicate up”.
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