Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on October 18, 2005, to prohibit state housing loans, grants or subsidies for illegal aliens or aliens not granted permanent residence status

The vote was 98 in favor, 7 opposed and 2 not voting

(House Roll Call 358 at House Journal 38)

Click here to view bill details.

Why do we need this is they are Illegal aliens? House Bill 5300 (Ban state housing subsidies for illegal aliens

Rep. Tobocman, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted against HB 5300 - 5310 because this legislation is completely unnecessary, will harm valued residents, and sends the wrong message as a state welcoming to immigrants. Specifically, these bills seek to address some alleged problem of undocumented (or so-called "illegal") immigrants seeking public benefits. Numerous studies have demonstrated that immigrants, particularly those who have been in the U.S. for longer periods of time, contribute more in taxes than they use in benefits. Here in Michigan, a state far from our nation's southern border where our largest illegal immigration problems exist, most immigrants come seeking permanent or longer-term residency. These bills will deny MSHDA loans, various student benefits, and MERIT scholarships to people who deserve support. This would include persons who have applied for residency status and are awaiting a hearing date before the federal Bureau of Immigration Affairs. Despite the strength of their legal claims of residency, they would be denied access to these state programs until they can get a hearing date, which can take almost a decade in many cases. Additionally, the bills may exclude victims of domestic violence and other legal immigrant statuses. What is particularly troubling is that several of these benefit programs are designed less to benefit the recipient than to benefit Michigan. HB 5300 provides loans to homebuyers who, otherwise might not be able to purchase a new home. This bill benefits the state by increasing homeownership, which fundamentally stabilizes distressed and blighted neighborhoods, and helps to encourage home construction, boosting our economy. No immigrant purchasing a new home comes to Michigan for a temporary benefit. The fact that they are purchasing a home is evidence itself of their desire to settle here permanently. Equally troubling are the limitations on the MERIT scholarship. Immigrant children almost universally find themselves in the U.S. through no decision of their own, but, rather the decision of their parents. For those immigrant students who have the wherewithal to succeed in school and develop college test scores that are high enough to EARN them a MERIT award, Michigan will be turning its back. These are exactly the type of knowledge workers a Twenty-First Century economy needs. By attending Michigan high schools, these students are demonstrating a desire to stay and contribute as educated and tax-paying Michigan citizens. Similarly, given the state's nursing shortage (in fact, metro Detroit hospitals are hiring Canadian nurses at record numbers), it is short-sighted to withdraw nursing scholarships to immigrants. Wouldn't it be better to have an immigrant paying income taxes and property taxes here in Michigan, than one who is paying them in Canada? If Michigan is going to create jobs, we need to become a global economy that consists of an educated workforce and one that has diversity. If our cities are to grow and development pressures to be relieved from Michigan family farms, we need to attract immigrants. No major U.S. city grew in the 1990s without immigration. These bills are unjust, unnecessary and harmful to our state's future."

Rep. Cushingberry, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: This package of bills is wrong headed. We accept the labor of our immigrants, their Social Security payments, gifts, and many other valuable contributions yet now we want to send an unwelcome message to them. As far back as the Nixon administration, we have had in place procedures for individuals who are in this great Country the opportunity to apply for citizenship and be treated as we want to be treated when it comes to the benefits of our society. Now we want to close the door right when the immigration system has become tangled in the so called Homeland Security Department; mired in a bureaucratic bramble and thistle. Individuals who previously applied timely under the various amnesty programs of the past are delayed in some cases decades and are wholesaled denied permanent status under new laws different than the laws which were in effect originally. Children born here and therefore citizens of this Country are sometimes even denied parents because they are not citizens and the maze to allow their parents legal status makes many errors. Most people who come here do so legally but their visa's expire before determinations can be made. This package of bills is unnecessary and affects a small but real minority of individuals who are not a threat to our society. To place them and their families in jeopardy as hb's 5300-5310 aims to do is posturing and electioneering at its worst. America has changed substantially even today and the new reality is a multi-cultural society. If we accept that there has been a significant census undercount of people of color over the past forty years we would know that the dreaded day of some people who want to cling to a past inspired in undercurrent by the so called silent majority's desired benign neglect; the white citizens council/ John Birch society to keep America dominated by them; the merger of Nazi's with ku klux klansmen; glorification of the former Confederacy through symbols like it's flag flying in many State Capitols and the desire of some for our great State to emulate those States, that day has already arrived and we need to accept that non-whites are the majority in America today and that is irreversible. We should encourage those who are at various levels of application, petition, and appeal to improve themselves and to come to use the underutilized capacity in Urban cores like Detroit. Clearly we have housing which has been made productive by immigrants who have come to our City. I dread the thought of what many of our State's urban cores would look like without the active immigrant communities. Finally, how can those of us who profess to be devout and religious be so negative and unloving? Are these bills an expression of our love for our neighbors? Is this how we would want to be treated in similar circumstances? We are no longer under an eye for an eye law but a love standard and it is my opinion that these bills fall short.

Our tax dollars are subsidizing too many wasted items. I totally agree that this is one of many legislative acts that should take place to stop wasting our tax dollars. I hope this won't be the end of it and that there will be many more similar proposals to come.

Rep. Tobocman, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted against HB 5300 - 5310 because this legislation is completely unnecessary, will harm valued residents, and sends the wrong message as a state welcoming to immigrants. Specifically, these bills seek to address some alleged problem of undocument (or so-called 'illegal') immigrants seeking public benefits. Numerous studies have demonstrated that immigrants, particularly those who have been in the U.S. for longer periods of time, contribute more in taxes than they use in benefits. Here in Michigan, a state far from our nation's southern border where our largest illegal immigration problems exist, most immigrants come seeking permanent or longer-term residency. What is most troubling is the impacts and drafting of HB 5300. This bill would prohibit MSHDA homeownership tools from being used by LEGAL aliens who are here on a non-permanent (or temporary) basis. These legally residing individuals who may be working for Michigan companies, will not be able to use MSHDA tools to purchase a home, pay real estate taxes and otherwise integrate into our society. Why we would want to DISCOURAGE home ownership, instead of encourage expanding the number of homeowners is beyond me?"

I was very happy to see the bill passed. The entire country is under invasion from all the poor of the world. With one million illegials crossing the border since 2000 today there ar millions of illegials in the country. The federal government fails to secure the border and our sovereignty is at stake. The disruptive demonstrations last May showed the true colors of these people in waving foreign flags, re-writing and singing our national anthem in spanish, refusal to speak or learn english and assimiate into our society. Hospitals are going bankrupt, social services are strapped thin, schools are overcrowded and prisons filled with illegial immigrants. Most violent street gangs across the nation are illegial immigrants. They deal drugs, murder and terrorize citizens everyday. Pregnant women cross our border in labor to have babies in our hospitals free of charge. These anchor babies as they are termed become automatic citizens who then sponsor their parents and relatives. The president has failed to do his duties in enforcing the laws, securing the borders and protecting american jobs. Illegials are denying americans good paying jobs in construction, skilled trades and more. They commit fraud with fake sicial security numbers and work papers and yet the president wants to grant amnesty, increase the guest worker program and give then social security benefits. It is appauling and frustrating this is happening. Elected officials need to represent citizens first and be held accountable for their actions. This is why I feel individual states must pass laws since the federal government fails to do so. Polls of americans dont like the illegial immigration issue and want officials to hold employers accountable, stricter sanctions, zero amnesty and a border fence.

if the people who employ the immigrant workers simply STOPPED GIVING THEM JOBS AND MONEY. let's hold those RESPONSIBLE for the problem RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SOLUTION. let's enforce the laws already on the books, let's make those that hire illegal immigrants think twice about doing it again. they don't come up here for NOTHING, you know.