Michigan Legislators want to pass more anti-immigrant legislation and make it illegal for cities to support the undocumented community

The Michigan legislature will be hearing testimony tomorrow about House Bill 4015, also known as the Sanctuary Policy Prohibition Act.

This legislation will make it law that will prohibit and city, county or township government in the state of Michigan from enacting a sanctuary policy, particularly a policy that would make it illegal for local law enforcement to NOT cooperate with federal officials as it relates to undocumented people.

Section 5 of the proposed legislation reads:

Section 9 of the proposed legislation is equally problematic. It reads:

House Bill 4051 also means that local governments must provide in writing to the state of Michigan that they have complied with this legislation, should it pass, and if it does not do so, the “state treasurer shall withhold the total annual payment amount that the 5 local unit of government receives under the Glenn Steil state 6 revenue sharing act of 1971, 1971 PA 140, MCL 141.901 to 141.921, 7 for each year or portion of a year that the local unit of 8 government fails to comply with the requirements of this act.”

The sponsors of this legislation are Representatives Pamela Hornberger, Tim Kelly, Jim Runestad, Gary Glenn, Peter Lucido and Tom Barrett. Rep. Hornberger was only elected to the Michigan House in 2016 and she was the primary sponsor that introduced this legislation.

According to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network’s data base, Rep. Pamela Hornberger’s number one campaign contributor is the DeVos Family.

There is also subsequent legislation that is being proposed and will be discussed in Lansing, House Bill 4334. The language of this legislation is very similar to HB 4051, but is more broadly advocating for local law enforcement to fully cooperate with federal officials.

There is a rally being held in front of the Capital on Wednesday, June 7 at 10am, followed by a Press Conference. In addition, individuals and organizations will be submitting comments and letters in opposition to this legislation during the hearing, which is scheduled for noon.

If you are unable to attend and want to send a letter in opposition to this legislation, you need to do it TODAY. Email your testimony to the Committee Clerk: Angie Lake alake@house.mi.gov.

In addition, it is important to get as many people trained in Rapid Response to ICE. The next training is Thursday, June 15, from 6:30 – 8:30pm, with more details at this link.