Michigan is calling on its residents to assist in housing and resettling migrants as the crisis at the southern border continues. The state’s Department of Labor and Economic Development has launched a refugee support program, urging volunteers to commit to at least 90 days of participation. The program, known as the Welcome Corps, aims to make Michigan a welcoming and inclusive home for immigrant, refugee, and ethnic communities.
Poppy Hernandez, the Global Michigan Director and Michigan’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, expressed the importance of programs like the Welcome Corps in supporting the state’s growing refugee population. Sponsors would be responsible for various tasks, including greeting the newly arrived refugees at the airport, securing housing, enrolling children in school, and assisting adults in finding employment.
The migrants expected to be housed in Michigan will primarily come from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, countries where many individuals have been seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. The state is currently in contact with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development to gather more information regarding this initiative.
Michigan’s call for assistance comes as numerous cities across the country grapple with the challenge of housing and providing services to newly arrived migrants. Cities like New York and Chicago have faced issues such as migrant-related crimes and pushback from concerned residents. As a result, officials have been forced to devise strategies to ensure the safe accommodation of migrants.
This is not the first time a state has reached out to its residents for help in housing migrants. Last year, Massachusetts officials made a similar request when migrant shelters were at capacity. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll urged residents to open their doors and become sponsor families, emphasizing the pressing need for housing and shelter.
As the situation at the southern border continues to unfold, various states are taking different approaches in addressing the challenges posed by the influx of migrants. Michigan’s call for volunteers reflects its commitment to supporting immigrant and refugee communities and fostering a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
