The Michigan Freedom Caucus, led by State Reps. Neil Friske, Steve Carra, Matt Maddock, and James DeSana, has announced a robust legislative package aimed at curbing illegal immigration and supporting lawful pathways. The group posted to X detailing the package:
The invisible hand should dictate how much immigration is appropriate and the United States should be enforcing the laws that protect us.
Legal immigration is too hard. Bureaucratic complications ensure that it takes longer than a person’s working life… pic.twitter.com/tgr5IGsGyi [1]
— Michigan Freedom Caucus (@FreedomcaucusMI) June 5, 2024 [2]
Legislative Package Breakdown
The package includes five bills and an accompanying resolution. The core elements of this legislative effort are as follows:
HR-0270: a resolution expressing support for legal immigration and opposition to illegal immigration.
HB-5774: which provides civil immunity and indemnification for certain government officials involved in enforcing immigration laws.
HB-5775: establishing sentencing guidelines for crimes related to illegal immigration.
HB-5776: allowing probation as a sentence for specific immigration-related criminal convictions.
HB-5777: detailing procedures for certain arrests and prosecutions involving immigration violations.
HB-5778: which prohibits illegal immigration and imposes penalties for violations.
Enforcement and Compliance Measures
The proposed legislation mandates that all Michigan law enforcement agencies comply with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) detainers. It also criminalizes being present in Michigan without legal status, penalizes local governments that fail to enforce federal immigration laws, and bars policies preventing police officers from questioning a person’s immigration status.
State Reps. Speak Out
State Rep. Neil Friske emphasized the necessity of state action, criticizing federal inaction on immigration enforcement. “The federal government has left us no option but to act,” said Friske. “If the federal government won’t close the border and begin mass deportations, the burden falls on us to do everything we can to protect our communities.”
State Rep. Steve Carra highlighted the dichotomy between incentivizing illegal immigration through taxpayer-funded programs and complicating legal immigration processes. Carra stated, “We are currently incentivizing illegal immigration with taxpayer-funded programs and disincentivizing legal immigration with bureaucratic complications.”
Public Opinion on Immigration
A recent Gallup poll underscores the urgency of addressing immigration issues, with at least 28 percent of Americans viewing immigration as the nation’s most pressing problem. Additionally, 55 percent believe that illegal immigration poses a critical threat to national interests.
The repercussions of illegal immigration extend beyond border states. Michigan has seen multiple arrests of illegal aliens for violent crimes, including murder and sexual assault, underscoring the need for more stringent enforcement. The Michigan Freedom Caucus aims to bolster legal immigration while implementing strict measures against illegal entry. This legislative package reflects a commitment to safeguarding communities and ensuring that immigration laws are enforced at every level.