Is Michigan About to Become the Safest State for Immigrants in America?

State lawmakers propose new legislation to protect immigrant communities from secretive raids, enforce privacy safeguards, and strengthen public trust in Michigan immigration enforcement.

Lawmakers Introduce Immigration Enforcement Reform Package

LANSING, Mich. — On Tuesday, Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) introduced a legislative package aimed at reshaping immigration enforcement practices in Michigan. The bills, Senate Bills 508–510, seek to increase transparency, safeguard immigrant and refugee communities, and limit practices critics describe as secretive and inhumane.

The package is co-sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods), and Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren). Companion bills are expected to be introduced in the House.

“Families deserve to feel safe and respected in Michigan,” Cavanagh said. “This package helps craft a humane solution to protect innocent residents caught in the crosshairs of a broken immigration system.”

Proposed Changes: Sensitive Locations, Privacy, and Transparency

The legislation includes three key provisions:

• Protected Spaces: Designating schools, hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, and service organizations as off-limits to immigration enforcement except in cases of imminent danger or when a judicial warrant is present.
• Data Privacy: Prohibiting government entities from sharing personal information for immigration enforcement without a warrant.
• Mask Restrictions: Preventing law enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identity, unless engaged in undercover operations.

Senate Bill 508 mirrors long-standing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sensitive locations guidance, while Senate Bill 510 is modeled after the federal VISIBLE Act, introduced in July 2025 by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and supported by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

Lawmakers Cite Civil Rights and Public Safety Concerns

The sponsors linked the legislation to growing concerns over Michigan immigration enforcement. Reports of masked officers detaining residents in public spaces and deportations without due process have intensified debate.

“We see immigrants being kidnapped off the streets by masked officers, refugees being separated from their families, and people taken away in schools and courts,” Sen. Chang said. “In Michigan, we must protect immigrants’ rights and uphold due process.”

Sen. Moss added: “Public safety depends on trust. We should not empower secret masked police to wreak havoc in our communities. Transparency and accountability must guide our policies.”

Rep. Paiz emphasized that the legislation is about dignity: “No one should live in fear of seeking an education, practicing their faith, or accessing health care in our state.”

Rep. Xiong, herself a refugee, echoed those concerns: “Extreme detainment measures have torn families apart. With these bills, we are saying that Michigan residents deserve to live without fear and to know their rights will be protected.”

Legislative Path Forward for Michigan Immigration Enforcement

The bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety. Hearings are expected in the coming weeks, though opposition is likely from Republican lawmakers who have historically aligned with stricter enforcement policies.

If passed, the measures would position Michigan as one of the few states to explicitly codify protections around immigration enforcement in sensitive spaces.

Broader National Context

The debate in Michigan immigration enforcement mirrors a broader national conversation. The Biden administration initially restored ICE’s sensitive locations policy in 2021, but federal guidance has shifted under the Trump administration’s second term.

Advocates argue that state-level protections are now essential to ensure immigrants’ rights. Opponents counter that such restrictions could limit federal authorities’ ability to enforce immigration law.

Michigan’s proposal comes as several states, including California and Illinois, continue to strengthen sanctuary-style protections, while others push for tighter collaboration with federal enforcement agencies.

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