LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Republicans just pulled the rug out from under so-called “sanctuary cities” and counties, making it crystal clear: if you won’t work with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), don’t expect a handout.
House Resolution 19, introduced by Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) ensures that communities playing keep-away with illegal immigrants won’t be seeing any extra cash from the state.
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According to the GOP, HR 19 modifies House rules to block earmarked funding – appropriations directed to specific recipients outside a competitive or formula-based grant process – from going to any county, city, village, or township that undermines immigration enforcement or refuses to comply with federal immigration laws. To qualify for earmarks, municipalities must certify their cooperation with immigration officials and adherence to federal law. This rule will apply to all House-passed spending bills, ensuring the restriction remains in place for future appropriations.
Despite pushback, Michigan House advances resolution targeting sanctuary policies.
The resolution passed through the Committee on Government Operations today after a heated debate with opposition from immigration advocacy groups who showed up to speak out against it. A amendment to extend the resolution to universities within those municipalities was also passed in committee. The resolution was then sent to the House, where it was approved 56-50 and given immediate effect.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, approximately 10 locations in Michigan have policies that limit cooperation with ICE. Among them, East Lansing adopted a sanctuary city resolution last year, restricting local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities. Additionally, the Kalamazoo County sheriff has stated he will not comply with federal requests to detain arrested illegal immigrants until federal officials arrive.
Republicans stand firm on defunding sanctuary cities.
When the resolution was introduced, State Reps. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) and John Roth (R- Interlochen) immediately backed it and spoke out about it. The logic is simple – if local officials insist on shielding illegal immigrants from federal law enforcement, they can pay for their own parks, splash pads, and pet projects.
“For far too long we’ve seen local officials seem to care more about drug dealers from Mexico or gang members from Venezuela than they do for their own friends and neighbors who follow the law and pay their taxes,” said Cavitt. “Local officials can obviously decide to do whatever they want, but they should know that for every second they refuse to cooperate with federal officials our state government will simultaneously refuse to cooperate with them. These communities are going to have to decide if they truly want to go it alone and whether protecting violent criminals from deportation is really more important than state funding.”
Roth echoed the sentiment saying, “Any community that refuses to cooperate with federal immigration officials should expect the same cold shoulder from state government come budget time. The feds are trying to keep our communities safe, and these rogue cities are doing whatever they can to protect these violent criminals and let them right back out onto our streets. Speaker Hall took a stand today and made it clear that any community that prioritizes illegal immigrants over its own citizens will have their access to state funding cut off at the source.”
Opposition cries foul over language, wasted time.
Not everyone was thrilled with the resolution – particularly those who opposed its wording. During the committee hearing, several speakers expressed outrage that the resolution referred to illegal immigrants as “illegal aliens” instead of the more politically correct term “undocumented immigrants.”
One speaker flatly told the committee to “stop wasting my time” over having to testify against what she saw as an unnecessary and inflammatory debate.
ACLU of Michigan policy strategist Liz Balck called the resolution “vague” as to what it means to fail to comply with immigration measures. She added that it would result in confusion within localities.
Additional organizations with representatives speaking at the committee hearing included the Michigan League for Public Policy, the Michigan Immigrants Rights Center, Immigration Law & Justice Michigan (formerly known as Justice for Our Neighbors Michigan), the Anishinaabek Caucus and MI Poder.
Democratic State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks had slammed the resolution earlier, saying, “The state budget should be seen as a tool to build communities up. After these utterly chaotic past two weeks, it’s clear that using funding as a weapon serves no one.”
Additional Democratic representatives spoke out against the resolution before the vote was taken in the House.
However, the House GOP has been adamant that earmarks shouldn’t go to sanctuary jurisdictions that shield illegal aliens and refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. To them, it’s a matter of safety and protecting Michiganders.
Rep. Harris emphasizes support for legal immigration.
Michigan News Source spoke with Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford) about the resolution today, which he confirmed aims to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions to cooperate with ICE while discouraging others from implementing similar policies.
He discussed the opponents of the resolution who testified in committee but noted that those opposing the resolution misrepresented its intent, painting a broad picture about immigrants rather than addressing the resolution’s actual focus.
He said, “in general most people are here legally. They’re here to be productive members of society. I don’t think any of us feel any different about that. And this (resolution) is a focus on people that are doing things the wrong way and coming across our borders the wrong way. And we have tons of people that have done it the right way.” Harris pointed to the immigrants who hold jobs and are productive members of Michigan communities – and those who also appreciate the legal system and doing things the appropriate way.
Harris emphasized that many criminals have also crossed the border and have gone unaddressed by law enforcement, avoiding deportation or proper immigration enforcement. He referenced his committee remarks about how these individuals often end up back on the streets, posing a danger to the public – such as in the case of 25-year-old Ruby Garcia, who was murdered in March 2024 in Grand Rapids by her illegal immigrant boyfriend.
Trump’s immigration crackdown continues.
The state House GOP’s resolution mirrors federal efforts spearheaded by President Donald Trump and Border Czar Tom Homan, the Acting ICE Director, prioritizing the deportation of violent criminals and cutting funding to sanctuary jurisdictions.
Hours after being sworn in, Trump’s new Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the Justice Department to halt all federal funding for sanctuary cities. Among several directives issued last week, she instructed the DOJ to identify and evaluate funding agreements with nongovernmental organizations supporting undocumented immigrants. Additionally, Bondi directed the department to investigate sanctuary jurisdictions obstructing law enforcement and to prosecute them when necessary.
The battle lines over sanctuary cities in Michigan are now firmly drawn, with Republicans making it clear that taxpayer dollars won’t fund communities that refuse to cooperate with ICE. As Trump’s administration tightens the screws at the federal level, Republican Michigan lawmakers are following suit, ensuring that cities shielding illegal immigrants won’t be doing so on the state’s dime.
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