<span style="font-size: x-large;">----------------------------<br />
NEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />
----------------------------<br />
<br />
The fedeal government is looking to house up to 120 illegal immigrants in the town of Vassar, Michigan.&nbsp; Local community leaders and activists are expressing their oppositions and concerns regarding such a move to federal and state authorities.<br />
<br />
During a heated town meeting at Vassar High School, about 300 activist residents gathered to voice their concerns about a possible contract between Wolverine Human Services and the federal government to house the group of illegal teen immigrants in their community.<br />
<br />
Wolverine is a social service agency for Michigan's children, and it is currently reported that they are reviewing a contract from the Chicago-based anti-poverty organization Heartland Alliance to maintain a shelter for male unaccompanied minor teens. After an initial 60 teens, aged 12-17 years arrive, the number could increase to 120, said Derrick McCree, Wolverine</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s senior vice president.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>If we are allowed, our intentions are to move forward with this, but not without the support of local community and leadership,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> McCree said.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>We</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>ll do anything in our power to help children,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> he added. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>I understand it</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s controversial, and many people might not agree with that. We can</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>t make everyone happy.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'<br />
</span></span><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>The children are fleeing from harm</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s way and extreme poverty,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> McCree said, adding that children with a known criminal history or gang affiliation would not be permitted to stay at the center.<br />
<br />
Federal funds, he said, would pay for the teens to reside at the Vassar center. In addition, he said bringing in the teens would create 115 jobs.<br />
<br />
Tamyra Murray, an organizer for Michiganders for Immigration Control and Enforcement (MICE), said the illegal children surging across the border amounted to an </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>invasion.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'<br />
</span></span><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>The children are a game to control to the nation,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> Murray said. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>If this program is allowed to proceed, it will never end.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'<br />
</span></span><br />
She added that the process of bringing children into the U.S. and Vassar is against federal law. These children, Murray said, should request sanctuary and refugee status in a neighboring country.<br />
<br />
McCree, on the contrary, said Heartland Alliance began contacting him in June to ask if Wolverine could accept the illegal children from Central America, and Heartland representatives even toured the Wolverine facility on June 11. The facility is applying for the proper licensure to house the illegal children, he said.<br />
<br />
Grosse Pointe Park-based Wolverine has a 145-bed juvenile center in Vassar called the Pioneer Work and Learn Center. The plan reportedly is that the illegal teens would stay at the facility for up to four weeks, receive vaccinations, medical care, trauma counseling, life skills development, and etiquette training.<br />
<br />
The teens could also receive English as a second language instruction at Vassar Public Schools through its alternative education program, though they would not enter the general student population.<br />
<br />
After up to four weeks, Heartland Alliance would reunite the teens with their parents or with relatives in the U.S.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>This places without question many Michigan families in harm</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s way,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> said Tom Wassa, a Republican candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives 84th district. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>President Obama would be classified as a domestic terrorist. He is creating an atmosphere of fear and terror,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">' </span></span>he added to cheers from other citizens.<br />
<br />
Vassar City Mayor Pro-Tem Dan Surgent said he trusts Wolverine, but believes citizens should </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>put the blame where it belongs, right over in Washington, D.C.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'<br />
</span></span><br />
NEW POLL QUESTION:<br />
----------------------------<br />
Should the Governor take a stand and demand that these illegals not be allowed to come to Michigan?<br />
<br />
Yes<br />
No<br />
Undecided<br />
<br />
TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />
<a href="http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-governor-take-stand-and-demand-these-illegals-not-be-allowed-come-michigan">http://clinton-countygop.org/content/should-governor-take-stand-and-demand-these-illegals-not-be-allowed-come-michigan</a><br />
<br />
(To enter your comments click on </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
<br />
Should congress pass legislation to allow companies to delay pension contributions to fund the </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span></span></span></span></span>Highway Trust Fund</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span></span>?<br />
<br />
Yes - 10%<br />
No - 90%<br />
Undecided - 0% <br />
<br />
THREE COMMENT WAS MADE ON THIS POLL:<br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
COMMENT #1<br />
<br />
Highway Trust Fund<br />
<br />
This must be practice for a second career as a slight of hand trickster with a traveling carnival. Whoops - he is already amply qualified with years of experience.<br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
COMMENT #2<br />
Highway Trust Fund<br />
<br />
It's because of BS like this that makes me want to vote for Pete Konetchy!<br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
COMMENT #3<br />
Highway Trust Fund<br />
<br />
With all due respect to our retiring Congressman, it sounds like the same old methods that he and his generation of legislators have practiced for decades that finds us where we are today. It is time for some tough love!<br />
<br />
------------------------------------ <br />
<br />
</span>