In This Issue
Follow Us At: 
migrantlegalaid.com

Like us on Facebook


undefined


Upcoming Events
Fri. June 23, 2017
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT
The Mines Golf Course

Wed. September 20, 2017 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Versluis Orchards

MLA Grantors Include:








MLA welcomes their 2017 interns
 Brenda Garcia
Brenda graduated from Grand Valley State University with a major in Legal Studies and minor in Spanish. She is a rising 2L at Michigan State University College of Law. Brenda grew up in Grand Rapids and hopes to return after graduation. She is very happy to be working with Migrant Legal Aid and serving the community she holds so dearly.  She is a native Spanish speaker.
Tyler Golembiewski
Tyler is a 1L student at MSU College of Law. Before attending MSU, Tyler went to Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and focused on Spanish, Math, and Economics. He is excited to venture into the legal field and get some good hands-on experience both in the office and doing outreach through Migrant Legal Aid. He speaks Spanish.

Molly Spaak
Molly is returning for her third summer at MLA and will be heading up outreach efforts for the summer and early fall. She graduated from Michigan State University this past May with a degree in Spanish and Marketing, and has lived abroad in Valenica, Spain. She is set to start Cooley Law School this upcoming Fall semester. Molly enjoys yoga, margaritas and wandering through Goodwills and flea markets, as well as advocating for those without voices and making the world better for all. She is fluent in Spanish.
 Dylan Kert
Dylan is a rising second year law student and J.D. candidate at MSU College of Law. His undergraduate credentials include an Honors Degree in English and a minor in Legal Philosophy from MSU's Honors College and College of Arts and Letters. While this is his first year as a volunteer intern with MLA, he hopes that he is able to positively affect the lives of others, and is excited to be spending his 1L summer helping those that need it the most. He is Spanish proficient.
Limited English Proficiency Bill 4619 Introduced
May 17, 2017, House Representative Stephanie Chang introduced this language access bill "to  f acilitate access to state services by individuals with limited English proficiency; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for biennial reports concerning equal language access; and to establish a process for submitting complaints and obtaining remedies for lack of equal language access."
Sanctuary City 
Attorneys from Migrant Legal Aid have testified and submitted joint comments with agribusinesses against Anti-Sanctuary Cities Bills (HB 4105 and 4334) that are pending in the Michigan House of Representatives. 
If passed, these bills would make it illegal for any local government entity to have any law or rule that limited the ability of government employees, including police officers, from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. These bills would also allow any private citizen to sue their local government if they believe that a sanctuary law or rule is in place.
 
These bills are detrimental and MLA believes they will have the following negative effects:
 
1)      Hindering our economy. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Development, fruit and vegetable production has a 1.4 Billion Dollar impact on Michigan's economy - but these crops often rely on migrant and seasonal hand-harvesters, many of whom are undocumented (reportedly 50%). By making Michigan a less-welcoming state we are jeopardizing our own economic stability.
2)       Making Michigan less safe. By increasing tension between immigrant communities and police officers, the practical effect of these bills will be reduced cooperation with law enforcement. Even U.S. citizens may be more reluctant to cooperate with police if they believe that doing so will call attention to undocumented family members or friends. Immigrants should feel safe to report crimes to law enforcement without repercussions to themselves, neighbors or family.
3)       Encouraging racial profiling. By allowing any citizen to sue a city for any rule or policy that may violate these proposed bills, cities will be encouraged to aggressively enforce cooperation with immigration officials to ensure that no one can accuse them of violating these proposed statutes. The court system would also be unduly burdened with politically motivated lawsuits. The bill encourages a culture clash between Michigan Militia-type groups and Civil Rights advocates.

The U.S. Department of Labor has certified more workers from H-2A participating countries to work in the U.S. so far in 2017 than by the same time last year, according to a March 31 release. Michigan employers of H-2A workers must provide housing, transportation and a wage of at least $12.75 per-hour.


"The biggest pain farmworkers have is that they come into a new location and don't know anyone or where to access resources," Paredes said. "Now, they can access resources by typing in the city, state or zip code on the app."


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a settlement with Wonder Farm, Inc. over alleged misuse of pesticides and violations of worker safety regulations at its basil farm in Waianae, Oahu. Under the agreement, the company will pay a $26,700 penalty.

Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon on Tuesday defended his policy of denying Immigration and Customs and Enforcement requests to detain jail inmates beyond court-ordered release times.
MLA is dedicated to defending and preserving farmworker jobs, dignity, health, income, and legal rights.  
 
Sincerely,  
Teresa Hendricks
Migrant Legal Aid


Want to help?   Volunteer with us