LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As the first week of March wraps up, both chambers of the Michigan legislature have introduced legislation that would combat the rising illegal immigration concern in the state.

Michigan’s stance of sanctuary jurisdictions.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, sanctuary jurisdictions follow the following rules.
“These cities, counties, and states have laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies, or other practices that obstruct immigration enforcement and shield criminals from ICE — either by refusing to or prohibiting agencies from complying with ICE detainers, imposing unreasonable conditions on detainer acceptance, denying ICE access to interview incarcerated aliens, or otherwise impeding communication or information exchanges between their personnel and federal immigration officers,” according to the group.

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Though Michigan is not considered a “sanctuary state,” there are several “sanctuary counties,” with Lansing as the state’s only “sanctuary city.” For more information see here.

Senate submits bills for consideration.

Under bills spearheaded by Senator Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) and Senator Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen), SB 724 and SB 725 would forbid local governments and counties from following sanctuary policies that ban employees from helping law enforcement from gathering illegal immigrants.

Both bear similar language but SB 724 specifies: “A bill to prohibit local units of government from enacting or enforcing any law, ordinance, policy, or rule that limits or prohibits peace officers or local officials, officers, or employees from communicating or cooperating with appropriate federal officials concerning the immigration status of individuals; to prescribe the powers the duties of certain state and local officers, officials, and employees; and to prescribe penalties and remedies.”

The senators also sent a letter to Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) seeking a hearing for the bills.

“As you know, the past few weeks have presented several instances of violence and lawlessness in communities across the country that have labeled themselves as “sanctuaries” for those looking to evade federal immigration law enforcement,” the letter said. “The elected officials that govern these cities, whether they be Denver, Chicago, or New York, are coming to the conclusion that refusing to enforce our immigration laws is having a disastrous effect on their communities, both from a safety and financial perspective.”

Both Senators also highlighted how some Democrat leadership in sanctuary cities are beginning to change their view as violence is on the rise.

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“Furthermore, in the past week, we have witnessed a notable shift in the position of several prominent Democrats regarding the status of sanctuary cities, specifically from New York Mayor Eric Adams, who suggested that local and federal officials must make an effort to crack down on the violence being committed by the illegal immigrants flooding into these communities,” the letter said. “We believe this underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action to protect Michigan families and our communities.”

For a full copy of the letter, see here.

House proposes bills following Traverse City illegal immigrant bust.

In late February, 19 illegal immigrants were detained after being found in a black painted bus owned by Dutchman Tree Farms in Grand Traverse County. This was only a day after State Rep. John Roth (R-Interlochen) co-sponsored legislation about individuals in the state unlawfully.

Part of the legislation includes language that would make it a felony in the state as an illegal immigrant.
The legislation includes a paragraph that says, “An individual who is present in this state who is not lawfully present in the United States is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $50,000.00, or both.”

Rep. Roth also commented on the bus incident, “Grand Traverse County is 1,667 miles and over a 25-hour drive from the US-Mexico border, yet the situation down there is so out of control that our local police are having to deal with busloads of illegal immigrants in our community.”

Both House Bills 5465 and 5466 await further review under the House Government Operations Committee.