TRAVERSE CITY -- A new anti-immigration bill similar to the controversial law passed in Arizona has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives.
It's called House Bill 4305 and on Tuesday several people gathered in Traverse City to protest it.
Traverse City Resident Ana Nava says, "It'd hurt me, it's going to hurt families, we don't want this, we are workers, that's all we want to-- we want to work."
The bill would require Michigan State Police to enforce federal immigration laws and request immigration documents from anyone they suspect are living in the U.S. illegally.
Opponents say the bill would have unintended consequences. A recent report released by Michigan League of Human Services says that if the bill passes, the state will lose more than $3.8 billion in economic activity and almost 20,000 jobs with the removal of unauthorized workers.
Old Mission Peninsula Grower Joshua Wunsch says, "To our local area there will be economic impact particularly in the wine and grape industry, partially in production of fresh cherries and apples because those are value added steps that require a high component of additional labor."
Wunsch is a tree fruit producer and knows first hand that as a farmer his business relies on seasonal workers.
Wunsch says, "One seasonal worker is conservatively estimated to produce an annual revenue stream of over 30,000 dollars with estimated $1.5 billion in agriculture that equates to $45 billion in public revenue."
That statistic is nationwide. Next there are deportation costs that are almost $10,000 per individual at the public's expense.
Father Wayne Dziekan is the Director of the Gaylord Diocese and is an advocate for immigration. He says he gets asked one question quite frequently: What part of illegal don't you understand?
He says this broad bill is completely out of sync with the needs of the community. He suggests a comprehensive immigration reform.
He explains, "It's not about putting up a bigger wall, putting military at the boarder or more guns in hands, or local enforcement doing work of federal officials, it’s taking a look at the entire immigration structure looking at how our country does business with other poor nations."
Supporters of the bill say it's needed. State Representative Ray Franz co-sponsored this bill and released this statement to 7&4 news.
He says, "There are concerns about how the bill will affect people, and I have those concerns as well.” I’ve listened to the ag community and they - the farmers and producers - have said they need a work force that is 'legal to work.' this bill is a starting point that fits into that goal.”
Representative Franz says the bill is before the committee and being worked on. He says the process welcomes comments from all interested parties.
