President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s intent on keeping his campaign commitments on securing the border and deporting illegal immigrants once inaugurated January 20.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, illegal immigration remains a key crisis with 10.8 million border encounters according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection numbers since the 2021 fiscal year, compared to President Trump’s first term of only 3 million encounters.
Michigan Speaker of the House Rep. Matt Hall expressed willingness to assist with the president’s commitment, arguing border security is a key issue for voters across the state, including many precincts within Democratic districts that were won by Trump this past November.
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Although unsuccessful in 2023, Hall attempted to mitigate the issue when Democrats took control of both chambers by sponsoring legislation prohibiting sanctuary communities in Michigan.
Last March as the House Republican Leader, Hall made a second attempt introducing legislation banning sanctuary cities and counties after an illegal immigrant murdered a 25-year-old woman in Grand Rapids. He urged the House Government Operations Committee to hold hearings on the bills, but despite political pressure they never made it through committee for a vote.
When asked if his caucus will reintroduce a bill banning sanctuary cities this term, Hall confidently answered, “Yes…oh yes, we’ll do it,” and added that under his leadership Republicans will embrace bipartisan efforts.
“Arguably Karen Whitsett is one of those brave Democrats, who probably only agrees with us ten percent of things, but really saved her party from destruction” Hall said, referring to the Democratic representative from Detroit. “There are Democrats here like the ones in Dearborn where Trump won the district. Warren, [Representative] Mai Xiong – Trump won her district. [Representative] Mentzer – Trump won her district.”
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In a private meeting following session on Wednesday with The Midwestener, Hall suggests if the attorney general, legislature, and other state officials were to “move forward in manner closely with the Trump administration to secure the border and ensure illegal aliens are not provided sanction, the Republicans could expand their majority in the 2026 midterm.”
The debate on redirecting state appropriations from programs that benefit illegal immigrants like low-cost housing and legal defense to fight their deportations, as Hall suggests, is long overdue in securing Michigan institutions.
If Gov. Whitmer won’t sign legislation to redirect appropriations back to working-class Michiganders, “House Republicans will not fund those programs,” Hall said.
In the event Republican lawmakers are unsuccessful with Whitmer’ administration until the upcoming midterm election, Hall intends to work with the next governor on whatever proposals House Republicans put forth.