Michigan governor wants more visas for international students

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder made a clear statement to Ripon Advance recently regarding his views on immigration.

Snyder said that while correcting the flow of illegal immigrants should remain a priority, he supports policy changes that would allow productive international students who graduate from Michigan colleges and universities to remain in the state to begin their careers.

“Thousands of international students graduate from Michigan colleges and universities each year,” Snyder said, “often with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. They have skills Michigan companies are looking for in employees and leaders to grow and thrive, creating more and better jobs. They want to stay in our state. And our country tells them they must leave. That just doesn’t make sense.”

Snyder reiterated the need for immigration reform that is more insightful.

“Our country needs a long-term, comprehensive solution to an immigration policy that everyone knows is broken and continues to hold back our economy,” Snyder said. “It’s essential that the White House and Congress work together on an innovative approach that will address our country’s present needs as well as those long into the future.”

Snyder said he wants to give these international students the opportunity he believes they deserve, while also creating opportunities for all Michigan residents in a win-win situation.

“During the last decade, immigrants created nearly one-third of Michigan’s high-tech businesses,” Snyder said, “at a rate six times the rest of the population. Foreign-born residents are proven job creators, and we are looking to tap their entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate our recovery.”

Snyder went on to explain his plan to jump-start the Detroit economy by asking Congress for significant increases in visas for the region. “I’ve asked our leaders in Washington, D.C., to approve 50,000 visas over five years for immigrants to put down roots and build their lives and careers in Detroit,” Snyder said. “It’s a plan supported by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and other city leaders. Together, we believe it will help our state’s largest and iconic city — and all of Michigan.”

“This plan is about creating jobs for Detroiters, as well as growing the economy and reversing the city’s population decline,” Snyder said. “We aren’t looking for these students to take job opportunities away from native Michiganders. There is far more demand for their specialized skills than we have people able to fill them.”

“There is no question that immigrants helped make our state great. And there also is no question that legal immigrants can continue to play an important role in Michigan long into the future,” Snyder said.