State Rep. Cam Cavitt on Thursday spearheaded the House passage of his plan to prohibit the adoption of sanctuary policies by local and county governments. Sanctuary policies include local rules to prohibit law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials. The local obstruction usually leads to an uptick in illegal immigrants – including gang members, traffickers, and other violent criminals – who seek protection from deportation.

“This plan puts public safety and the rule of law first,” Cavitt said during a floor speech Thursday. “These bills stop local governments from adopting sanctuary policies that block cooperation with federal immigration authorities and prioritize criminal aliens over their own citizens. The only place an illegal immigrant belongs in Michigan is on a bus back home.”

Earlier this week, three illegal aliens were taken into custody by police in Houghton Lake following a sexual assault investigation, which resulted in one man being charged with five counts of criminal sexual conduct. Last week, a similar incident unfolded in Livingston County when two illegal aliens were arrested after attempting to meet a teenage girl for sex. In February, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a member of the Tren de Aragua street gang in Sault Ste. Marie.

The legislation – House Bills 4338, 4339, and 4342 – create the Sanctuary Policy Prohibition Act and County Law Enforcement Protection Act, respectively. The plan would prohibit municipalities from enforcing policies preventing local law enforcement from communicating or cooperating with federal immigration officials.

“Local officials have no business protecting people who broke the law to be here, especially those committing further crimes,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “This legislation ensures law enforcement can do its job without interference, holds local governments accountable, and protects taxpayer dollars from funding lawlessness. This is common sense.”

Within 60 days of the bills becoming law, a local or county government must ensure its policies do not violate state law. If they remain out of compliance, local governments could face legal actions and financial penalties. The bills would also withhold statutory revenue-sharing payments from sanctuary communities.

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