WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In a statement from State Senator Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton), Michiganders have learned that Wexford County, home to the city of Cadillac, has been removed from the Center for Immigration Studies’ (CIS) list of sanctuary jurisdictions.

CIS describes itself as an independent, non-partisan, non-profit, research organization.

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Hoitenga announced the change on April 18, 2025, celebrating it as a triumph for law- abiding citizens and a rejection of what she terms the “reckless, open-border agenda of the radical left.”

Sanctuary no more.

The designation’s removal follows coordinated efforts between Hoitenga’s office, the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office, federal officials, and the director of CIS.

Hoitenga emphasized that the original sanctuary label was “inappropriate, unwelcomed and immediately rejected by local residents.”

Cracking down statewide.

This development aligns with a broader initiative led by Hoitenga and State Senator Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater) to ban sanctuary policies across Michigan. The duo introduced Senate Bills 724 and 725, aiming to prohibit local governments and counties from enacting laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

While supporters hail the removal as a step toward enhanced public safety, critics argue that such actions may strain community relations and overlook the complexities of immigration enforcement. As the debate continues, Wexford County’s updated status serves as a focal point in Michigan’s ongoing discourse on immigration policy.