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Can immigrants save Michigan's economy?

DonkeyHotey
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How immigrants can improve Michigan’s economy will be the topic of a conference in Detroit on Monday. And some heavy hitters – including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder – will be among the speakers.

Steve Tobocman is director of Global Detroit – which advocates for “pro-growth” immigration reform. He says critics’ view that encouraging immigration would increase the already-fierce competition for jobs is off base:

"In fact, we think that some of the non-immigrant residents of Detroit have the most to gain from a pro-immigration strategy for the city of Detroit and for the region."

Mayor Bloomberg made waves earlier this year when he said on “Meet the Press” that immigrants could be the key to reversing Detroit’s population loss.

Sarah Hulett is Michigan Public's Director of Amplify & Longform, helping reporters to do their best work.