A Michigan lawmaker wants to give the state a leading role in solving the nation’s immigration crisis and has proposed legislation to create a group that would recommend policies that could help the Wolverine State align with federal initiatives.
State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, introduced his plan to establish the Developing Effective Policies on Orderly Removal and Transportation Task Force. The group would be tasked with identifying existing local, state and federal illegal immigration policies and suggest new ones supporting federal efforts to apprehend “dangerous criminals” from communities across the state.
“My legislation would create the Developing Effective Policies on Orderly Removal and Transportation (DEPORT) Task Force,” Lindsey said in a statement. “The task force would work rapidly to develop policies promoting President Trump’s efforts to remove dangerous criminals from Michigan communities.”
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Lindsey continued: “It is imperative that the state of Michigan work with the Trump administration and federal immigration agencies to stop the crisis of illegal immigration and that we remove any state or local barriers, We must take every step possible to ensure the public’s safety, the security of our economy, and to defend the integrity of our immigration system.”
Senate Bill 40 has been referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.
Under the proposal, the Michigan House speaker would pick the task force members. The 15-member task force would include state legislators, law enforcement members and those with experience combatting human and drug trafficking.
President Donald Trump has vowed to crack down on those living in the country illegally. Trump and acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan have prioritized the deportation of violent criminals from jurisdictions nationwide.
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Reports of raids cracking down on criminal aliens across the country, including in liberal cities with illegal alien-friendly policies such as New York City and Chicago, have surfaced since Trump’s inauguration, delivering a campaign promise of the 47th president.
Estimates vary on how many illegal aliens are in the Wolverine State, but they generally hover in the 90,000 range. If accurate, that would represent about 1.2% of the state’s population.
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Michigan has nine sanctuary cities: Lansing and Kalamazoo, Kent, Leelanau, Luce, Muskegon, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford counties. However, additional jurisdictions may declare themselves sanctuary locations, even if in an unofficial capacity.
A study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform found that illegal aliens and their children cost Michigan $1.1 billion in 2023. Based on the numbers, each illegal alien costs the state $4,525.
Another FAIR study concluded that Michigan supported illegal aliens by allocating $955 million for education, $84 million for police and corrections and $81 million for healthcare and other services.
The Michigan House also voted along party lines to pass House Resolution 19, introduced by Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township.
The resolution would ban sanctuary communities and those not cooperating with federal immigration officials from receiving additional state money for pork projects. However, it would not bar municipalities from receiving constitutionally required revenue sharing.
“Seeking the American Dream is completely understandable, but we are a nation of laws – laws that must be followed,” state Rep. Steve Frisbie, R-Pennfield, said in a release. “As elected officials, we swear an oath to uphold both the United States and Michigan Constitutions, and I take this oath very seriously.
“We don’t get to pick and choose what laws we follow,” Frisbie added. “Following existing federal law regarding illegal immigration is important to the safety and security of our local neighborhoods and the State of Michigan.”
Additionally, some Michigan school districts, such as Lansing and Waverly, are opposing a Trump executive order that allows immigration officers on school property.