Michigan Communities on DHS Sanctuary List Dispute Designation

Some Michigan counties and cities are labeled as sanctuary jurisdictions, sparking controversy over compliance with law.
Trump administration labels some Michigan cities and counties as "sanctuary jurisdictions"

The debate over sanctuary cities has intensified as several Michigan communities find themselves listed by the Trump administration as jurisdictions that defy federal immigration laws.

The ambiguity surrounding the definition of “sanctuary city” complicates matters further. In a recent update, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified specific counties and cities, claiming they meet the criteria.

The list includes six Michigan counties—Oakland, Wayne, Kalamazoo, Wexford, Kent, and Washtenaw—and two cities, Ann Arbor and East Lansing. The DHS asserts these areas do not fully comply with federal immigration policies.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the risk posed by these jurisdictions, stating, “These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens.”

The Trump administration plans to formally notify each listed jurisdiction about their alleged non-compliance and potential violations of federal law.

However, there is pushback from some Michigan communities. Ann Arbor’s city administrator, Milton Dohoney Jr., clarified, “Our city has never declared or identified itself as a sanctuary city. We would never take an action to obstruct the actions of any other law enforcement agency from carrying out their duties.”

Similarly, Oakland County officials have not received notification from DHS and believe their inclusion on the list is erroneous. County Executive David Coulter and Sheriff Michael Bouchard jointly stated, “We are confident that the county’s policies and practices comply with federal law and we were incorrectly placed on this list.”

State Senator Michele Hoitenga, representing Wexford County, also expressed concern, noting that her office had previously worked to remove Wexford from another list of sanctuary communities. Hoitenga emphasized that Wexford County adheres to the law and insisted that the sanctuary designation “must be resolved immediately.”

While the exact consequences for these communities remain unspecified, financial repercussions could be on the horizon. An executive order from April directs the Office of Management and Budget to review federal funds allocated to sanctuary jurisdictions for potential suspension or termination.


Read More Michigan News

Share the Post:

Subscribe

Related Posts