In northern Michigan’s vineyards and orchards, ablaze with fall colors, migrant farmworkers are known to sing corrido ballads and folk songs as they pick grapes and apples from sunrise to sundown. But their voices fell silent this autumn when targeted roadside arrests by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and workplace visits by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increased starting in late September.
Immigration has been in the political crosshairs since the new administration took office in January. In late June I interviewed Leelanau County Sheriff Mike Borkovich about his views on immigration (both legal and illegal), migrant farmworkers in the county, and how he viewed his department’s enforcement role.
The League of Women Voters Leelanau County will host a panel discussion on “The Migrant/Seasonal Worker Community: Inside Leelanau County” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, in the lower level of the Government Center in Suttons Bay.