house resolution no.71
Reps. Manoogian, Hammoud, Shannon, LaGrand, Bolden, Rabhi, Pagan, Garza, Liberati, Guerra, Neeley, Tate, Sabo, Kuppa, Elder, Cambensy, Kennedy, Tyrone Carter, Anthony and Ellison offered the following resolution:
Whereas, More than 100 Michigan residents of Iraqi and Chaldean-Assyrian descent have been arrested by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement and threatened with deportation; and
Whereas, Removing these Michigan residents from their homes and communities and deporting them to Iraq will put their lives in danger. Many of these Iraqi nationals were children when they came to the United States as refugees, fleeing systematic religious persecution and violence in Iraq. As members of religious minorities, these individuals will face persecution for their religious beliefs and will face insurmountable struggle to rebuild their lives in a country they do not and have never called home; and
Whereas, Individuals of Iraqi descent have made important historical contributions to the United States and to Michigan. Metro Detroit is home to the largest concentration of Chaldeans outside of Iraq. Chaldean Michiganders are doctors, lawyers, business owners, mothers and fathers, and community leaders. These Michigan residents grew up and made their home here in Michigan, raised families, and became part of the fabric this state; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we oppose the mass deportation of Iraqi nationals residing in Michigan and the United States; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.