DETROIT– Several recent projects including Global Detroit, Detroit 20/20 on WXYZ-Channel 7, and the New Economy Initiative have celebrated and spotlighted immigrants at a time when Michigan needs their contributions more than ever. 

On Monday, May 7, supporters of the new Welcoming Michigan project gathered at Detroit’s international
waterfront to announce the launch of the latest initiative in support of immigrants, one that aims to help build
mutual respect and community among foreign-born and U.S. born
Michiganders. Congressman Hansen Clarke and State Representative
Rashida Tlaib were the elected officials who spoke in support of
Welcoming Michigan, as did New Detroit President and CEO Shirley
Stancato and Steve Tobocman, Director of Global
Detroit. 

Tobocman highlighted the story of his
own grandfather who emigrated from Poland to America without much of
a formal education and, most likely, without formal legal status.
“The world still embraces the American Dream. Immigration—more
precisely, immigration to America—is the story of freedom and
opportunity.  It is the story of my family.  And it, most
likely, is the story of your own family.”

Michigan is the only state that lost
population between 2000 and 2010.  Michigan’s immigrants
account for large and growing shares of the economy and these
Michiganders can help turn our state around. Welcoming Michigan
believes that the state’s newest neighbors deserve a warm welcome. 

“Immigration and migration stories
are part of our past, present, and future,” said Lillie Wolff of
Welcoming Michigan. “At Welcoming Michigan, we bring people
together because we believe that when Michigan welcomes immigrants,
Michigan thrives.”

Residents in Detroit’s Chadsey Condon
community, Sterling Heights, Hamtramck and Van Buren County, Michigan
have formed local Welcoming Committees to plan and implement local
programs.  Their work will feature arts events, faith
encounters, and public dialogue to help build connections and
community. Welcoming Michigan hopes to expand its work to other
communities seeking to increase understanding in the coming months. 

Welcoming
Michigan is
a project of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center with support from
the Ford Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.  To learn
more about Welcoming Michigan, please join us
atwww.WelcomingMichigan.org or
find us on Facebook at//www.facebook.com/welcomingmichigan.