Michigan Introduces Law To Prevent Sanctuary Cities

The state of Michigan has taken a bold step to force state municipalities and law enforcement to respect Federal Law against illegal immigration. Michigan has the good sense not to want to turn its cities into havens for illegal aliens, such as sanctuaries found in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and for all practical purposes, New York City.

Illegal aliens' presence has been an economic drain on the national, state, and local economies. Like other states, California's economy is in chaos. But this is partly due to the tremendous amounts of money poured into illegal's education, health care, and other programs.

Federal law mandates legal immigration only. The basis of immigration law enforcement today is the McCarran-Walter Act (the Immigration and Nationality Act) or (INA) of 1952.

Once the Illegal alien is here, it becomes a state and local problem.

But, much of the problem with illegal aliens once they are here has been caused by cities and city officials who encourage "hands off" treatment of illegal alien. The care and maintenance of illegals, sanctioned by some municipalities and law enforcement has caused a huge financial and law enforcement drain.

Some legislators in Michigan have proposed a law that prohibits establishment of sanctuary cities in Michigan in HOUSE BILL No. 404.
The Bill is called the "Sanctuary Policy Prohibition Act".

It says that the governing body of a local unit of government can't enact or enforce any law, ordinance, policy, or rule that limits or prohibits a peace officer or local official, officer, or an employee from communicating or cooperating with appropriate federal local unit of government regarding a person's legal immigration status if they are suspected of being in the US illegally.

It also defines the powers and duties of certain local officers, officials, and employees. It creates certain reporting requirements, and it enacts penalties for non-compliance with the law.

The law also requires that a peace officer, who has probable cause to believe that an individual under arrest is not legally present in the United States, to report that individual to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office for further investigation.

In simple terms, it forces those who run Michigan's municipalities and law enforcement agencies who would create sanctuary cities to respect and help enforce existing immigration law.

If a municipality refuses to comply with the law, then they would not receive revenue sharing payments from the state.