One bill is similar to a controversial law passed last year in Arizona that empowers police officers to check the immigration status of people they suspect are undocumented.

Awesome!

It would also call into question Detroit and Ann Arbor's status as "sanctuary cities," where police look the other way concerning residents' immigration status.

Ann Arbor?  How's Governor Snyder's hometown crony's gonna like the Nerd signing that one into Law?  If Rick even hints at blinking on this legislation, I'm signing my name here.  Why Lansing hasn't withheld funding to those two cesspool city's is beyond me.

The other two bills would mandate that state agencies as well as temporary employment agencies verify the status of job applicants before hiring them.

All sounds good, right?  Well, let's call a spade a spade.  The very first Executive Order issued by Governor LePage addressed the above.  Yes, it is just that simple.

To Rep. David Agema, the bills' sponsor, the issue is simple: Undocumented immigrants are breaking the law, taking jobs away from Michigan residents and costing the state millions in public services. "I don't care what country you're from -- legal is legal and illegal is illegal," said Agema, R-Grandville.

Yep.  Damn straight, Rep. Agema, you have my unyielding support.  Now here's the liberal slant in the Detroit rag... does 150,000 illegal aliens in Michigan sound like a small figure to you?

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, Michigan has among the lowest percentages of undocumented residents and undocumented workers in the country. An estimated 150,000 people living in Michigan are doing so illegally, or about 1.5 percent of the population, compared to a national average of 3.7 percent. About 2 percent of Michigan workers are estimated to be undocumented, compared to 5.2 percent nationally and 7.1 percent in Arizona.

2% of Michigan's labor?  That's 85,000 illegal aliens employed in our state folks.  That's a hell of a lot of employers in this state using illegals which now are also going to reap the benefits of Snyder's new Corporate Tax.  Why is this an issue?

Agema cites estimates from the Federation for American Immigration Reform that illegal immigrants cost Michigan $900 million a year. Those costs include imprisonment, as well as public education. Public schools must accept all children, whether they are documented residents or not. On average, Michigan schools are given $7,800 per student from the state.

Howza 'bout that.  That $900 million right there that illegal aliens siphon off the state is 57% of our $1.58 billion dollar budget deficit.  And Snyder blames budget costs on geezers in this state while going after their pensions?  It's beyond disgusting.  Ricky boy, July 1 is prolly gonna be a very enlightening day for you.

Agema introduced six immigration bills last year, but none came to the floor of the Democrat-controlled house for votes. He hopes for a more sympathetic reception this year, with Republicans taking control of the chamber.

Jase are you listening?  I'm not going to waste my time with the union loving leadership in the Senate anymore as all Richardville can do is harm the GOP in 2012 as likewise Snyder will.

So, this is leading to where the roadblocks will probably happen with Snyder's Big Agra agenda blocking legislation.

Michigan fruit and vegetable growers hire about 45,000 migrant workers each year, many of whom are undocumented. Growers have "given up" trying to get year-round Michigan residents to work the hot, back-breaking jobs, said Denise Donahue, director of the Michigan Apple Committee.

That's a simple fix.  Four years of welfare?  Pick produce.  Oh, and pee in the cup just like applying for a job or no sponging off of taxpayers for those four years.  Too draconian?  Too bad.

Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics, said he doubts the immigration bills will gain traction anytime soon, because Gov. Rick Snyder wants to focus on the budget.

"Snyder and those who want to focus on the budget are getting frustrated to see these cultural issues have been getting more attention than the budget," he said.

Um, those "focusing on the budget" would be well advised to start addressing that $900,000,000.00 a year Michigan taxpayers are p!ssing away on illegal aliens.  The votes in Lansing on this legislation will be posted here as well as elsewhere.