In Michigan, five communities have adopted some measure of sanctuary policies. These communities are Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Detroit, Lansing and Washtenaw County.

“Sanctuary in this context is merely a euphemism for not enforcing the law,” Sen. Colbeck said during his testimony in support of SCR 20 and 21. “The practical implications of sanctuary cities is that law enforcement officers are directed by elected officials not to enforce federal law despite these same elected officials not having the legal authority to do so. These decisions are typically driven by political considerations that do not include the safety of our citizens.”

Sen. Colbeck cited the tragic death of Kate Steinle as evidence of the very real safety concerns associated with the refusal to enforce U.S. immigration law. Colbeck said that the man who killed Kate should never have been here, and that it is absurd that an additional law needs to be passed to make sure police can fully detain people who are here illegally. 

Under the proposed federal laws, any individual, spouse or a parent or child of that individual who is the victim of murder or rape may then bring civil suit against a municipality whose sanctuary policies enabled the convicted criminal. The law would apply to other serious felonies as well, and penalties would also be increased for illegal immigrants who commit criminal offenses while in our country.