Michigan Governor Rick Snyder yesterday called for the U.S. government to set aside 50,000 special visas over the next five years to attract highly skilled immigrants to live and work in the bankrupt city of Detroit, Reuters reported yesterday. The proposal by the Republican governor would have to be implemented by the federal government at a time when immigration reform is one of the most contentious political issues. Snyder hopes that a pool of talented workers would encourage companies to bring new jobs by relocating to the financially struggling city, which has seen its population decline to about 700,000 from a peak of 1.8 million in 1950. The EB-2 visas would be aimed at individuals with advanced degrees and exceptional skills in fields such as the auto industry, information technology, healthcare and life sciences, Snyder said.
