BY ELIZAVETA DOROFEEVA

Earlier this year in Southwest Detroit, numerous restaurants and local businesses that would typically be bustling remained unexpectedly closed. Business owners in the area later explained that many employees hadn’t shown up to work that week, fearful after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles had been spotted in the neighborhood. It’s safe to say that under the Trump administration this scenario will become increasingly common both in the U.S. and across Michigan.

Within his first weeks in office, President Trump issued dozens of executive orders and proclamations that have dramatically altered the landscape of US immigration policy. The administration’s executive order, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” has set the stage for mass deportations, heightened workplace scrutiny, and expanded collaboration between federal agencies and local law enforcement.

The scale of this enforcement shift is staggering. In just the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, ICE made more than 33,000 enforcement arrests – nearly matching the 33,242 at-large arrests conducted throughout the entire 2024 fiscal year. This represents not just a policy change but a fundamental transformation in how immigration laws are enforced across America.

As an international student who has navigated the complex and often shifting terrain of U.S. immigration regulations, I have some experience. But this new administration is rapidly changing the U.S. legal immigration system. Even some of those with seemingly secure legal statuses – green card holders, F-1, and even tourists – have faced detention. Migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who were granted two-year stays under a Biden-era program have now faced April deadlines to leave unless granted special approval. Meanwhile, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily paused certain green card applications, primarily affecting refugees and asylum seekers.

Michigan stands to lose enormously from these policies. Our state has historically benefited from welcoming refugees and immigrants, who have become vital contributors to our economic health. Recent data shows that all net population growth in Michigan is due to international immigration. In 2024 alone, our state grew by more than 57,000 people solely due to immigrantion. Research from Global Detroit demonstrates that refugees resettled in Southeast Michigan over the last decade have contributed between $229.6 million and $295.3 million annually to the regional economy.

The human impact is equally significant. In Southwest Detroit and communities across our state, immigrants are increasingly avoiding public spaces where they might encounter ICE agents. This retreat has rippled through schools, businesses, and community organizations. Some workers have stopped showing up to their jobs, fearful that a routine traffic stop or workplace visit could lead to detention and deportation.

For small businesses that rely on immigrant labor – from agriculture and construction to healthcare and food services – these developments create substantial operational risks. Many now face the prospect of I-9 audits, workplace raids, and sudden workforce enforcement actions that can jeopardize the stability of the business altogether.

These demanding actions are why the Small Business Resource Guide: Preparing for Enhanced Immigration Enforcement is more critical than ever. The guide provides businesses with practical tools to navigate heightened enforcement in this uncertain environment, including legal compliance resources, employee rights education, and strategies for handling ICE audits and inspections.

The stakes for Michigan’s future prosperity could not be higher. If current policies continue, our state stands to lose tens of thousands of working-age refugees and immigrants who would otherwise contribute to Michigan’s economic growth. In addition to the loss of roughly $250 million annually that immigrants and refugees bring to the Southeast Michigan economy, consider the long-term fiscal hit. Projections suggest that resettling just 2,265 refugees in Michigan (the actual number slated to be resettled between Trump’s inauguration and the end of September 2025 before the program was put on hold) would add $841 million in earnings, $126 million in federal taxes, and $72 million in state and local taxes over the next decade.

As we face this pivotal moment, Michigan’s businesses, policymakers, and community leaders need to work together to ensure legal compliance while supporting the immigrant workers who contribute so much to our state’s economy and culture. This guide represents a critical step in equipping businesses and communities to navigate this challenging landscape. By working together with knowledge and preparation, we can help ensure that Michigan remains a place where immigrants can continue to thrive – and where our economy can benefit from their vital contributions.