AFL’s Senior Vice President, Reed D. Rubinstein, points to recent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in the country in the press release saying, “This weekend’s New York City subway atrocity is yet another reminder that open borders and sanctuary jurisdictions are sheer insanity. The left-wing politicians who create and run them, and those who support them, put our citizens at risk, undermine our Constitution, and dangerously erode the rule of law. America First Legal will continue working tirelessly to protect our immigration laws and support the brave men and women who enforce them. Today’s actions are but a first step in our fight against sanctuary lawlessness.”

The AFL press release goes on to say about locations shielding illegal immigrants, “This cannot stand. AFL will continue fighting to protect our citizens and the rule of law from the ‘illegal alien industrial complex’ of leftist politicians, taxpayer-funded ‘resettlement’ groups, and globalist open borders corporations. ‘Sanctuary cities’ and their leaders are bound by federal law – interfering with federal immigration enforcement, including lawful deportation of illegal aliens, is a crime. Those who willfully break the law must be accountable.”

The cost of harboring lawlessness.

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AFL is highlighting the personal stakes for public officials. By enforcing sanctuary policies, local leaders risk civil lawsuits, criminal charges, and even RICO liabilities. Victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens could sue for triple damages, and those involved in sanctuary practices could face prison sentences of up to 20 years. It’s not just about politics – it’s about real consequences for individuals who choose to defy federal law.

The AFL states in their press release that under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Congress specifically permits state and local law enforcement officers to assist federal officials in enforcing immigration law – however, no federal law allows state or local officials to subvert or ignore the requirements of the INA – and that significant criminal and civil penalties can be imposed on those who do so.

At the end of the letter to the Michigan sanctuary jurisdictions and the 239 others, the AFL says, “Your jurisdiction’s sanctuary laws or policies therefore make a mockery of American democracy and demonstrate a shocking disrespect for the rule of law. For these reasons alone, you should abandon them. But no matter your views on our Union, the fact of the matter is that you and the other officials who support or enforce sanctuary laws, policies, and regulations have a very personal stake in the matter – you each could face criminal prosecution and civil liability for your illegal acts. We urge you to do the right thing, protect your citizens, and comply with federal law.”

Wexford County pushes back: officials deny sanctuary status.

According to the Center of Immigration Studies (CIS), their sanctuary jurisdictions include the same locations as those listed with AFL. Wexford County’s placement on the list has drawn the ire of their county officials who have argued that they don’t belong on the list. At an October board meeting, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution that says they are not a sanctuary county for illegal immigrants.

Wexford County Commissioner Gary Taylor said, “We never had a resolution to say we were a sanctuary county, so this had to be done because (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is not, they are not going to do anything for us.”

Being a sanctuary jurisdiction according to the CIS is defined as “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.”

A response from Wexford County after receiving the AFL letter.

Michigan News Source reached out to all 10 Michigan sanctuary jurisdictions who received the letters from AFL and Wexford County was the only location who responded. Wexford County Administrator Joe Porterfield said, “Upon receiving the letter from American First Legal regarding legal consequences I forwarded the letter to our legal council (sic) for review. I am unable to respond to questions regarding ongoing legal issues. I can say that on October 2nd, 2024 the Wexford County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution stating Wexford County is not now nor has it ever been a Sanctuary County for Illegal Immigration. I have attached a copy of this resolution for your review. Both the Wexford County Board of Commissioners and the Wexford County Sheriff’s Department are committed to working with all law enforcement agencies to make sure the laws of this state and the Federal Government are upheld.”

Time to choose: protect citizens or shield criminals?

As federal law enforcement battles with local defiance in the upcoming Trump second term, Michigan jurisdictions must decide: Will they uphold the rule of law or continue to play politics with public safety? For the “sanctuary strongholds” identified in Michigan and elsewhere, the clock is ticking. America First Legal has made its move. The question is whether Michigan’s sanctuary jurisdictions will yield to the pressure or double down on their controversial stance of shielding illegal immigrants who many believe should never have entered the country – or the state – in the first place.