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House Bill 4342 would prohibit local sanctuary policies and allow the state to withhold funds from cities that refuse to comply with federal immigration law.
Sanctuary City Ban Proposal Targets Local Immigration Autonomy
LANSING, MI – In a move likely to intensify debate over immigration and local control, Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton) introduced House Bill 4342 on April 17, which would prohibit any city, county, or municipality in Michigan from adopting sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
“Sanctuary cities put Michigan families at risk,” said DeSana in a public statement. “When local governments choose to ignore immigration laws, they undermine public safety and break the trust of law-abiding residents.”
The bill reflects a broader trend in state-level politics where Republican lawmakers are moving to restrict local discretion over immigration matters, arguing that federal laws should be enforced uniformly throughout the state.
What House Bill 4342 Would Do
Under the proposed legislation, Michigan municipalities would be banned from adopting policies that prevent officials from:
- Communicating or cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Inquiring about or sharing information regarding immigration status
- Detaining individuals based on immigration-related civil warrants
The bill also includes a financial enforcement mechanism: if a city is found to be in violation, the state treasurer would be authorized to withhold state funding, potentially impacting local budgets.
DeSana emphasized the fiscal priorities behind the bill, stating, “Every dollar we spend for illegal aliens is a dollar that we aren’t spending to help those who need it and earned it.”
Pushback Expected from Civil Liberties and Local Government Advocates
While the bill may find support in the Republican-controlled caucus, critics warn that such legislation could erode local autonomy and strain relationships between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
Opponents of sanctuary bans argue that cities adopt such policies not to defy federal law, but to prioritize local public safety by encouraging undocumented residents to report crimes and cooperate with police without fear of deportation.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has long opposed similar measures, calling them “counterproductive and discriminatory.” A 2023 ACLU report noted that jurisdictions with sanctuary policies tend to have lower crime rates, citing research from the Center for American Progress and University of California, San Diego.
In response to past efforts, the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) has also argued that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and warned against turning local police into “proxy immigration officers.”
Local Autonomy and Public Safety Concerns
Critics of the bill contend that it infringes on local autonomy and could erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. Policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement are seen by some localities as essential for maintaining public safety and community trust. For instance, cities like Ann Arbor and Detroit have ordinances that generally prohibit local police from inquiring about immigration status unless required by law.
A February 2025 article highlighted that while Michigan does not have official sanctuary cities, several municipalities have adopted “welcoming” policies to protect immigrant residents. These policies aim to prevent local resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement, focusing instead on community policing and public safety .?
Local Sanctuary Policies in Michigan Are Rare but Symbolic
While Michigan is not widely known for sanctuary cities, some jurisdictions have passed resolutions or nonbinding declarations expressing their unwillingness to participate in aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Lansing have all been noted for policies that limit cooperation with ICE to various degrees.
These local policies often reflect community values and are not necessarily violations of federal law. Instead, they represent prioritization of resources and trust-building measures between government institutions and immigrant populations.
What’s Next for HB 4342?
House Bill 4342 has been referred to the House Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance for further consideration. Its future will depend not only on the political composition of the legislature but also on legal challenges and public response.
As immigration remains a national flashpoint, Michigan’s handling of this proposal could become a key signal of how the state aligns in the broader fight over immigration policy, local governance, and fiscal priorities.
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