Contact: Harold Core 517-241-3986
Agency: Civil Rights
June 18, 2010
MDCR Director Daniel Krichbaum today released this statement to be read at a meeting of the Michigan Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The meeting was called to discuss Michigan's proposed Immigration Law Enforcement Act.
MDCR - Statement Regarding the Potential Immigration Law Enforcement Act
"Good afternoon and greetings on behalf of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and Department. It is my pleasure to listen to the speakers and share some thoughts on behalf of the Department and Commission.
While our Commission has not yet taken a position on this issue, we would like to share some general observations.
Michigan law enforcement agencies are facing budget cuts that already require them to creatively stretch limited resources to protect public safety. Now is not the time to ask local agencies to take on the additional federal responsibility of immigration enforcement. Furthermore, none of us want to deny our local police the tools they need to solve crimes. Why would we want to make witnesses who may have citizenship concerns (of their own or for their family) afraid to call or cooperate with police?
As a civil rights department, we are very concerned that laws like the one being discussed today amount to an open invitation for racial profiling. The decision to turn a routine law enforcement encounter into an immigration investigation is one that will be based solely on perception. But what exactly does an immigrant look like? Sound like?
Each of you, take a quick second to close your eyes and picture an immigrant. What characteristics do you think about when you picture an immigrant? What is their skin color? What language do they speak? Who would you suggest police ask to 'show me your papers'?
Then let me ask you this: are you picturing a Canadian? There are more than 150,000 European-born White Americans who are immigrants in Michigan. Yet it is Latino, Asian Pacific and Middle Eastern persons who will undoubtedly be the ones whose status is challenged.
Remember, it is not just non-citizens or the undocumented that will be challenged. Anyone perceived as being 'foreign' will face the possibility of being asked to prove his or her right to be here. American citizens and documented visitors will face this possibility not just once, or even just once a day, but every time they come into any contact with a law enforcement officer.
Michigan will take another costly hit to our reputation, and to our pocketbook. Arizona has already lost more than $90 million in tourism dollars since their legislation passed. There is no reason to believe Michigan will be different. Any organization comprised of diverse members will avoid holding events in Michigan because of the risk of their membership being harassed.
Similarly, a Michigan business might find the person they wish to hire is reluctant to move to Michigan knowing they face this possibility. Any employer with a diverse pool of employees will be less likely to relocate to Michigan for the same reason.
The jobs Michigan lost over the last decade were lost to other places, not because of immigrants. Increasing pressure on those who look like immigrants will not bring those jobs back. The future of our state depends on us finding ways to work together for the greater good.
Targeting 'perceived foreigners' will deeply strain law enforcement efforts to work with many of Michigan¡¦s residents, as well as our visitors. Legislative efforts like the one discussed today will hurt businesses and the state as a whole. At a time when we need to be working in unison, it will divide us. Divided we fail."
For more information on the Department of Civil Rights visit our website at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr.
MDCR - Statement Regarding the Potential Immigration Law Enforcement Act
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