South Michigan News

State Representative Andrew Fink has reintroduced a bill to ban sanctuary cities in Michigan. This action comes in response to an incident near Traverse City, which Fink cited as a growing concern.

“Incidents like we saw outside Traverse City will only grow in frequency the longer we allow Michigan cities to publicly advertise their clear violation of federal law,” said Fink, R-Adams Township. “The law is the law; cities should not be able to dictate whether or not they want to obey it.”

House Bill 5615 aims to prohibit local municipalities from preventing cooperation between law enforcement and federal officials regarding illegal immigrants. The proposal mirrors one introduced by Fink last term that did not advance due to the absence of a committee hearing.

In Michigan, East Lansing, Lansing, Ingham County, Kalamazoo County, Kent County, and Wayne County have declared themselves sanctuary jurisdictions.

“Every time a city publicly announces it will disregard federal law, human traffickers at the southern border get a little bit richer,” Fink stated. “Cartels continue to profit off the false promises made by sanctuary cities. Ignoring calls for aid from immigration officials should never be permitted in Michigan, especially when dangerous criminals are benefitting from these misguided policies.”

According to Department of Homeland Security statistics, over 225,000 migrants were encountered along the US-Mexico border in December – marking the highest monthly total since 2000. Daily apprehensions often exceeded 10,000.

“Michigan is a northern border state. Yet, we find ourselves coping with problems stemming from our southern border,” Fink remarked. “Banning sanctuary cities would send a clear message that Michigan will protect its citizens by working with federal officials and defending federal law.”

The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.