ANN ARBOR – Michigan Governor Rick Snyder continued to tout his pro-immigrant stance in a speech at the University of Michigan last Friday at the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Symposium, saying that the state should work to attract immigrants with degrees in medicine and high-tech industries. 

Snyder noted that some of the state’s top businesses including Meijer and Dow were founded by immigrants, saying that both businesses have cemented themselves as Michigan names and household words. Snyder also said he was “probably the most aggressive, pro-immigration governor in the country.” 

“The greatest asset we have in our state is talent,” Snyder said. “And how did that talent get here? It was because of immigration.”

He also spoke out against the “brain drain” of Michigan college graduates leaving but said his plans to revitalize urban areas will help. 

“Do you want to be another yuppie in Chicago, or do you want to stay and make a difference in Detroit?” Snyder asked the crowd.