Whereas, The 287(g) program, authorized under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, permits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its subagency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, allowing designated officers to perform federal immigration law enforcement functions under the supervision of ICE. Such functions include identifying and processing removable aliens who have been arrested, enforcing limited immigration authority during routine police duties, and serving and executing administrative warrants on aliens in jail; and
Whereas, The unlawful entry or reentry of an alien into the United States, including entry outside of authorized ports, constitutes a federal crime under title 8, sections 1325 and 1326 of the United States Code, and the federal government has a duty to identify, detain, and remove individuals who violate these laws. The federal government can more easily fulfill these obligations by partnering with local law enforcement agencies to advance their common interest in combatting crime; and
Whereas, Local participation in the 287(g) program increases cooperation between federal and local authorities, ensuring that individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States and who are arrested for criminal offenses can be more easily identified, detained, and processed for removal in a coordinated manner. This increased cooperation not only enables more efficient processes but also enhances public safety. By working with local law enforcement, the federal government is able to prioritize the removal of criminal aliens and gang members, particularly those who pose a threat to Michigan communities through acts of violence, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and organized crime; and
Whereas, The 287(g) program provides comprehensive federal training, resources, and oversight to help ensure that participating local officers operate within the bounds of the law and uphold constitutional protections while enforcing immigration laws; and
Whereas, The City of Taylor’s police department has demonstrated leadership by signing a 287(g) Task Force Model agreement, setting a model for effective collaboration with ICE and reaffirming the critical role local governments can play in upholding federal immigration law; and
Whereas, Encouraging broader participation in the 287(g) program will send a clear message that Michigan supports the rule of law, stands with law-abiding citizens, and will not tolerate sanctuary policies or the obstruction of federal immigration enforcement; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we encourage all Michigan county sheriffs, police departments, and other local law enforcement agencies to explore and pursue entry into 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, the President of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Government Operations
