by Tyler Arnold
Two Michigan Republican senators filed legislation that would prohibit a locality from establishing policies that provide a sanctuary for immigrants who entered the United States illegally.
Senate Bill 382, sponsored by Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, would make it illegal for counties to establish policies that put restrictions on officers, local officials or employees preventing them from communicating or cooperating with federal officials about a person’s immigration status.
Senate Bill 383, sponsored by Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, would make it illegal for cities, townships or villages to establish such policies.
“Many people, including myself, have a difficult time understanding how local units of government can get away with deliberately hindering the enforcement of federal immigration law,” Nesbitt said in a news release. “Local governments with sanctuary policies protect criminal illegal aliens instead of their own residents. This dangerous lawlessness must be stopped.”
If a locality already has a policy on the books that violates this law, it would have up to 60 days after the legislation is signed to update their ordinance to comply with the statewide mandate. Failure to do so could result in litigation against the locality by the state.
“This is not only a public safety issue, but also an issue of allowing federal authorities to do their jobs,” Barrett said in the news release. “With this legislation we are sending a clear message to our local governments – follow the law. We have already seen tragedies happen around the nation due to these rogue and irresponsible policies. These bills will hold local governments accountable.”
The bills may receive support from the Republican-dominated House and Senate, but Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is likely to veto the legislation. In the past, Whitmer has called for disbanding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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Tyler Arnold reports on Virginia, Ohio and Michigan for The Center Square. He previously worked for the Cause of Action Institute and has been published in Business Insider, USA TODAY College, National Review Online and the Washington Free Beacon.
Photo “Aric Nesbitt” by Concordmich. CC BY-SA 3.0.
