State lawmakers introduced a pair of bills on Wednesday to prevent local municipalities from creating policies that protect undocumented immigrants.
The bill package sponsored by Republican Senators Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) and Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) proposes a ban on the local policies that establish sanctuary cities in Michigan.
One of the bills prohibits counties from implementing policies that prevent local law enforcement officers, officials or employees from cooperating with federal officials regarding a person’s immigration status.
The other bill would prohibit cities, townships and villages from enacting policies that allow local officials to not cooperate with federal law enforcement on immigration enforcement.
Senator Nesbitt says the policies unjustly hinder communication between local and federal law enforcement.
“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 says. “Local governments with sanctuary policies protect criminal illegal aliens instead of their own residents. This dangerous lawlessness must be stopped.”
The bill would give cities with these policies 60 days to comply before legal action is taken.
Similar bills have been introduced in the state House.
