Executive Board Session (G. Woessner)

This document is an email from Virginia Woessner to the Leelanau County Commission expressing concerns about immigration. The email, forwarded by Steve Yoder to the Clerk, includes a public comment Woessner intended to deliver at a commission meeting but was unable to attend due to a family emergency. The attached document discusses the political motivations behind the failure of a bipartisan immigration bill, H.R. 815, and its potential impact on border security and the workforce in Leelanau County.

The comment highlights the political climate surrounding immigration, specifically citing the influence of former President Donald Trump in opposing the bipartisan bill. It mentions a sign used by Sheriff Borkavich and how the bill could have addressed issues at the border, and also points out the potential negative effects of the current immigration policies on Leelanau County’s labor force, which depends on migrant workers for critical services.

Woessner’s public comment advocates for a more practical approach to immigration policy. The document emphasizes the need to move beyond the rhetoric of blaming migrants and instead focus on finding solutions that address the county’s labor needs. The comment suggests a renewed focus on a policy that could have passed a year ago, alluding to the previously mentioned bipartisan bill, to stabilize the workforce and support the community.

The core of the public comment calls for a policy shift that acknowledges the economic contributions of migrant labor to the county. The author’s perspective encourages the Commission to consider solutions that meet the needs of the community, rather than focusing on the negative impacts of immigration without recognizing the benefits it provides.