1776Reporting
Attorney General Pam Bondi is cracking down on states that defy federal immigration laws, and Michigan may be in her crosshairs. Fresh off a legal battle with New York over its Green Light Law, which blocks law enforcement from sharing vehicle data with federal immigration authorities, Bondi is making it clear that states shielding illegal immigrants won’t be spared.
“If you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable,” Bondi warned. “We did it to Illinois. Strike one. Strike two is New York. If you are a state not complying with federal law, you’re next, get ready.”
Bondi slammed New York’s DMV for tipping off illegal immigrants when federal agencies request their information. “It’s tipping off an illegal alien. And it’s unconstitutional, and that’s why we filed this lawsuit,” she stated.
Now, Michigan faces scrutiny. Republican state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey introduced a bill to form a DEPORT Task Force, aiming to support federal efforts in removing criminal immigrants from local communities.
“This task force would work rapidly to develop policies promoting President Trump’s efforts to remove dangerous criminals from Michigan communities,” Lindsey said.
But Michigan Senate Democrats, holding a slim majority, blocked the measure. Meanwhile, House Republicans passed a resolution to cut funding for sanctuary cities.
House Speaker Matt Hall pushed back on sanctuary policies: “I would like to see us use funding as a way to punish these sanctuary jurisdictions,” he told reporters. “Let me say it differently: I think it should be an incentive — increased funding beyond what’s constitutionally required is an incentive for things like working to have safer communities through complying with ICE.”
Despite these efforts, some Michigan cities are defying federal cooperation. In Grand Rapids, Police Chief Eric Winstrom refuses to involve his department in immigration enforcement.
“The Grand Rapids Police Department is not in the business of immigration enforcement, period,” Winstrom declared. “We want people to feel comfortable calling 911, especially victims coming forward without the fear of information regarding their documentation status being provided to immigration authorities.”
But that policy has come under fire following a horrifying crime. Grand Rapids was the site of the brutal murder of Ruby Garcia by a previously deported illegal immigrant, Brandon Ortiz-Vite. Ortiz-Vite shot Garcia on a highway, dumped her on the roadside, shot her again, and fled. The tragedy has sparked outrage, with critics blaming lax immigration enforcement.
Sanctuary policies are spreading beyond Grand Rapids. Officials in Saginaw, Bay City, and Kalamazoo Township are offering shelter to illegal immigrants in open defiance of federal efforts. Critics say these policies prioritize ideology over public safety.
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, another case fuels the fire. ICE charged illegal immigrant Jose Fernando-Perez with multiple counts of child rape. Despite an immigration detainer, a Massachusetts court released him, ignoring ICE’s request to hold him.
Pam Bondi’s fight against sanctuary policies sends a clear message: No state is above federal law. As Democrats argue over immigration, the public is left asking: Who will pay the price for failed policies? In Michigan and across America, many believe Bondi’s hardline approach is exactly what is needed to protect communities from those who exploit sanctuary protections.
Michigan could be next in line for Bondi’s crackdown. The only question is: How many more tragedies will it take before sanctuary states rethink their policies?
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