DETROIT — Speaking at the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce’s annual public policy breakfast, Gov. Rick Snyder expressed
opposition towards Michigan’s proposed anti-immigration bill.

Following Snyder’s speech, which noted the contributions of
Hispanic and Latino Americans, local business owners questioned the governor on
House Bill 4305, which is similar to Arizona’s immigration legislation.

Snyder said the bill was unnecessary and “would
encourage a divisive atmosphere” in an already divided state. He also
stated that there are currently over 10,000 Latino-owned businesses in
Michigan, a fact he felt deserves more attention to help businesses grow.
Snyder said that although Michigan was the only state to lose population, the
Latino population in the state increased by 30 percent according to census
data.

“We’re glad to see that Governor Snyder understands the
economic cost an Arizona-style law would have here in Michigan. Immigrants are
building businesses, paying taxes, and helping put our state back to work. We
should have policies that welcome those investors and entrepreneurs, not treat
them like criminals. We applaud Governor Snyder’s stance on this important
economic and civil rights issue. He is setting a good example for thinking
leaders at a time when politicians in states like Arizona and Georgia have
decided instead to embrace the politics of fear and division,” said
Ethraim Cash Brammer, a leader of the AIR coalition and administrator at Wayne
State University who was in attendance at the event.