A legislative package aimed at drawing some hard lines around the activities of federal immigration authorities in Michigan got its first hearing Thursday, drawing hundreds of people ready to register their anger and frustration over Trump administration policies that have riven the nation.
The bills – which were all sponsored by Democrats -- would forbid immigration enforcement actions at schools, houses of worship and hospitals. They would also forbid law enforcement from wearing masks in many situations and bar the state from sharing personal information with immigration authorities without a warrant.
Jeni Hooper is with First Step, a shelter for survivors of sexual and domestic violence in Wayne County. She told the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee that the fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has disrupted services to victims because people are afraid to seek help.
“When safe spaces, like domestic violence agencies, shelters, schools, courts and schools are not clearly protected, survivors face an impossible choice,” said Hopper.
Shari Rendall with the Federation for American Immigration Reform – or FAIR -- testified against the bills. She said the bills demonize and incite violence against immigration officers. She also said the state should not be limiting where ICE can operate.
“Courthouses are not sensitive locations,” she said. “ICE knows that individuals in locations like a courthouse are unarmed. It is safer for the individual, it is safer for law enforcement, it is safer for the public for them to take someone into custody there.”
FAIR is designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Senator Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), who is also chair of the Michigan Republican Party, was repeatedly cut off by the committee’s Democratic chair for trying to debate immigration policy with the witnesses. He called the hearing a one-sided “kangaroo court.” He also said the bills would likely be found unconstitutional if enacted because the state cannot preempt federal authority.
One of the bills would ban law enforcement officers from wearing a mask or a disguise while on duty with exceptions for protection from airborne disease, airborne or face injuries. The ban would not apply to officers on an undercover assignment.
Former Detroit Police Chief Ike McKinnon testified that masked officers undermine faith in law enforcement.
“They can basically do what they want to and the people of that respective community (do) not know who they are,” he said. “This is scary.”
It is not clear when the bills might be sent to the Senate floor. Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), the committee chair, said there will be more hearings on the legislation and she would like to see votes as soon as possible.
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