FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2026
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
517-281-1084
New report shows key role of immigration in revitalizing Michigan’s economy
The report underscores the need to push back against harmful tactics meant to harm immigrants and put the focus back on all of the ways in which these valued community members support the state’s economic goals
Lansing — The Michigan League for Public Policy released a new report today exploring the key role that immigrants play in revitalizing the state’s economy. The report, Michigan’s Economic Strategy Must Include Immigration, underscores how harmful federal policies and directives, the spreading of misinformation, and the separation of families have significantly harmed immigrants, while taking focus away from the tremendous value they offer in the communities in which they live and work.
“Immigration has become an increasingly polarizing issue in our country, but Michigan governors from both parties have long recognized the importance of immigrants in accomplishing our state’s economic development goals,” said Michigan League for Public Policy President and CEO Monique Stanton. “Tactics meant to make immigrants feel unsafe and unwelcome are not only inhumane, they weaken our communities and hamper economic growth. From helping to reverse Michigan’s population decline to filling gaps in our state’s workforce and powering innovation, immigrants are valued community members and they are crucial for Michigan’s economic future.”
The League’s latest report notes that Michigan must continue to recognize that international immigrants have been and will continue to be crucial drivers of population growth for the state. Taking into account that Michigan has ranked second to last in population growth over the past three decades and is expected to see continued slow growth and a population decline in the 2030s, the state’s long-term economic development plans rightfully recognize that immigration is one of the only near-term levers big enough to slow Michigan’s population decline and stabilize the tax base. The Growing Michigan Together Council has recognized immigrants as a bright spot in reversing the state’s problematic population trend.
Bolstering Michigan’s workforce is also critical to a strong state economy, and, with immigrants comprising 15% of Michigan’s high school students and 8% of its early educators, they play vital roles on both sides of the state’s talent pipeline. Immigrants also play an important role in filling Michigan’s labor shortages in other key sectors, including construction/trades, manufacturing and health care.
The report also highlights how immigrants disproportionately drive entrepreneurship and innovation, which directly supports Michigan’s goals to be a top start-up state and Midwest innovation hub. Immigrants are 80% more likely to start a business and they generate nearly a quarter of America’s total innovative output.
To harness the immense talent of Michigan’s immigrant communities, the report lays out a policy framework for immigrant-centered growth. It cites the Growing Michigan Together Council’s recommendations to facilitate employer-immigrant workplace integration and business growth through reduced barriers to drivers licenses, H1-B visa support, enhanced language access, improved training and education programs, and systematic credential transfer equivalency processes. The Michigan Statewide Infrastructure Workforce Plan is also cited, which seeks to remove barriers to jobs by prioritizing access to child care, transportation, English as a Second Language and case management.
“Michigan’s future economic success depends on immigrants and, to attract more immigrants to our state, we need to have a forward-thinking policy framework in place that invests in the systems and community conditions that allow immigrants and their families to not only put down roots here, but thrive,” said Stanton. “In the face of increasingly harmful rhetoric and aggressive attacks on the civil rights of immigrants by the federal administration, it’s more important than ever that we continue to set the record straight about how immigration has brought value to our communities and can continue to do so with sustained investments in the policies that will support them.”
The full report can be viewed here.
###
The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to advance economic security, racial equity, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
