Michigan House Republicans Advance Measures to Penalize Jurisdictions Over Immigration Stance in 56-50 Vote

Lansing, MI – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers recently criticized Michigan Democrats, stating they "continue to put illegal aliens first, Michiganders last — even when it costs Michigan families." In a social media post, Rogers called for the state to "follow the law and say no to sanctuary cities," echoing a broader debate currently unfolding in the Michigan Legislature.

Rogers, a former U.S. Representative, has consistently advocated for stricter immigration enforcement and border security measures. His comments align with recent legislative efforts by House Republicans in Lansing, who have moved to penalize local jurisdictions perceived as non-compliant with federal immigration laws.

In February 2025, the Michigan House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, approved House Resolution 19 by a 56-50 party-line vote. This resolution mandates that local governments and universities must certify their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to be eligible for legislative earmarks, which are funds for specific local projects. House Speaker Matt Hall stated that this measure supports public safety and ensures state funds are not directed to entities undermining federal law.

While no Michigan city has a legally defined "sanctuary city" status that explicitly blocks federal immigration enforcement, East Lansing officially declared itself a sanctuary city in 2023. Other municipalities, like Lansing and Ann Arbor, have policies limiting local law enforcement's inquiries into immigration status, often to foster trust within immigrant communities. Several Michigan counties and cities were previously listed as "sanctuary jurisdictions" by the Trump administration, a designation often disputed by local officials.

Michigan House Republicans have also introduced a package of bills (HB 4338, 4339, 4342) aimed at banning local sanctuary policies and withholding state revenue sharing from non-compliant municipalities. Additional bills (HB 4340, 4341) seek to prohibit non-citizens from receiving certain social welfare services. Proponents argue these measures are necessary to address the financial burden and public safety concerns associated with undocumented immigration.

Democrats in the Michigan Legislature have strongly opposed these Republican initiatives, labeling them as "xenophobic" and counterproductive. House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri asserted that such policies would harm public safety by discouraging immigrant communities from reporting crimes due to fear of deportation. Furthermore, a 2024 study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that undocumented immigrants contributed over $290 million in state and local taxes in Michigan in 2022, highlighting their economic contributions.

The proposed Republican bills face an uncertain future, as they would need to pass the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate and receive the signature of Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer to become law. The ongoing legislative clash underscores the deep partisan divisions over immigration policy in the state.