Snyder (C) takes a tour of the Arab American National Museum.

DEARBORN – Gov. Snyder praised immigrants’ contributions to the nation during a town hall meeting at the Arab American National Museum (AANM) on Monday, June 16.

“Immigration is something that has made us unique in terms of embracing diversity, in terms of understanding that we’re from many different places; but we are stronger when we come together and work with one another,” he said, addressing Arab American leaders and activists.

The governor added that the state should continue to be a “welcoming place” for immigrants.

Snyder also spoke about his efforts to lobby the federal government to approve the EB-5 visas, which aim to bring 50,000 highly- skilled immigrants to work and live in Detroit.

He added that highly skilled workers can create up to 150,000 additional jobs once they arrive in Michigan. 

“My view was not to ask for a bailout from the federal government. Give us some green cards,” Snyder said.

The audience asked the governor about issues relating to education, jobs and civil rights.

Nabih Ayad, the chair of the Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL), told Snyder that many prominent individuals in the Arab American community are placed on the FBI’s the Terrorist Watch List and the No-Fly List. He urged the governor to bring these issues up with the federal government.

Ayad also complained to the governor about the mass closure of Arab Americans’ bank accounts by several banks.

“They’re closing bank accounts and it’s happening just to Middle Easterners in this region,” Ayad said. “And this is not one, two or five individuals. We’re talking about hundreds if not thousands of accounts, governor.” 

He added that, “at the end of the road”, this affects business in Michigan.

“Why the hell would someone want to do business in Michigan when they can go somewhere else and feel welcomed?” Ayad asked.

Manal Saab, the chair of the Arab American National Museum’s Advisory Board, introduced the governor. She said although AANM is a young museum, it has had a “miraculous” past. Saab said AANM has received recognition from the Smithsonian Institute and the White House and was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums as one of the top 6 percent of museums in the country.

Snyder toured the museum after the meeting. He described it as a “great institution.”

The governor spoke about his efforts to balance the budget, create jobs, keep people in the state and reduce long-term debt.

“Are we just borrowing our way and sticking the bills to our kids? That’s how we’ve operated for far too long, and it’s still going on in too many places in our country,” he said. “In the state of Michigan we’ve reformed our long term liability costs. We have a payment plan in place. We actually have a 40 to 50-year forecast. If you want a really cool job in Michigan, run for governor in 2038. That’s when essentially that mortgage will be paid out, in terms of our long-term debt.”

Snyder said it is time to change our perception of the future after being hit hard by the resection in 2009.

“Think how far we’ve come,” he said. “You can see ways we can work better together. You can see ways we can help our students can grow faster and better at a lower coast. You can see ways that our government is going to be financially sound and try to give you great service that you deserve. That’s the exciting Michigan where we can stop and see our best days ahead of us. Let’s do this together.”

The governor urged the audience to speak up and boast about the state’s success. 

“We need you to be louder and prouder,” he said. “We are the comeback state and we are not going to slow down. We’re going to accelerate.”

Snyder also said his administration is going to continue to work on road issues. 

“There was some progress in terms of a variety of different bills, talking about performance improvements and other measures. We’ve made some progress on this issue but not enough,” he told reporters at the museum. “We’ll stay relentless on this issue, like I’ve done on other issues, and we’ll get a solution. I’ve been proactive on roads for two or three years now. I’m going to continue on that path about getting people to try to work together, and let’s get something done.”

The Michigan Legislature failed to pass a road-funding bill before going on a two-month vacation on June 12. 

Snyder, a former Dearborn resident, praised the city’s response to recent Qur’an burnings near an Islamic religious center and the anti-Muslim protests in front of City Hall on Saturday.

“The Qur’an burnings, those are terrible events,” Snyder said. “You’d hope they never happen. I’m very proud of the Dearborn community for how they’ve handled these issues, about being proactive and talking about peace and trying to work well with people. This is a good role model for how communities can be good examples of how to deal with difficult issues in a constructive fashion.” 

Asked if he is concerned about Florida anti-Muslim pastor Terry Jones specifically targeting Dearborn, Snyder said, “I would be happy if Terry Jones just sticks to his own state.”

In January, former state representative and National Republican Committee member Dave Agema questioned Muslims’ contributions to the nation in a Facebook post. The Arab American News asked Snyder if he has addressed the issue of anti-Muslim voices within the Michigan Republican party. 

“I don’t believe there should be any form of discrimination, and I made that clear. I said that in the State of the State address,” the governor said. 

Snyder denounced Agema in the opening statements of his State of the State address on Jan. 16 without naming him, calling for a “greater degree of civility” in politics.

“Let’s work to bring Michiganders together, not divide us,” the governor said at the time.