I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
Michigan activists who have been driving for passage of the DREAM Act say they are hopeful as the Senate prepares to vote on the act Saturday. “We’re feeling optimistic about the vote,” said Mohammad Abdollahi.
Abdollahi made headlines earlier this year when he was arrested for participating in sit-in at the Tucson AZ offices of Sen. John McCain. McCain, a Republican, had earlier support the DREAM Act, but during a tough re-election bid had switched his position. Abdollahi and others were arrested for trespassing. After they were released from jail on the trespassing charges, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents arrested them as they left the courthouse.
The ICE arrests started deportation processes for the youth arrested, including Abdollahi. He is from Iran, and if deported could face harassments, beatings and execution because he is gay.
Abdollahi says he expects a trial on the trespassing charges “early next year.” He continues to have to check in with ICE officials in Arizona every 60 days.
Support for the DREAM Act has been mounting in recent days, after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would hold a procedural vote on the measure Saturday.
Among those voicing support is former Congressman Joe Schwarz.
“The DREAM Act is common sense public policy, and good bipartisan legislation. It would cut the deficit, and strengthen our military,” said Schwarz, who represented Michigan’s 7th District before being ousted by Tim Walberg four years ago. “The DREAM Act allows immigrant youth to earn their citizenship through the noble pursuits of military service or higher education. Democrats and Republicans in Washington must not let senseless partisanship get in the way of our national interest. I hope our Senators follow the courageous example of Grand Rapids’ Republican Congressman Vern Ehlers and vote yes for the DREAM Act.”
Joining Schwarz is Jerry Dykstra, executive director of the Christian Reform Church of North America (CRC). Dykstra had this to say in a statement released Friday afternoon:
“Our faith calls us to welcome the stranger and act justly toward immigrants. The Book of Leviticus reminds us explicitly that we should treat immigrants with the same respect as citizens, because our spiritual forefathers were themselves immigrants and refugees. The Senate should help bring this justice into the lives of our undocumented youth and vote yes for DREAM this Saturday.”
Abdollahi says he expects a very close vote on Saturday and is somewhat disappointed by the lack of leadership from senators.
“I would liked the senators to have taken a stronger leadership position on this, on both sides of the aisle,” he said. He says ultimately the vote is going to be very close and will rest on Democratic support. “At the end of the day, it’s the Democrats who to answer for this vote.”
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter