Immigration

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 44: Crimes: other; illegal immigration; prohibit, and provide penalties. Creates new act.

SB 44 makes it a crime for non-citizens to enter Michigan without legal status or remain after being denied entry or deported, with penalties ranging from up to 180 days in jail and $2,000 fines for first offenses (misdemeanor) to up to 20 years in prison and $10,000 fines for repeat or aggravated violations (felony). The bill creates exceptions for those with federal protections like DACA approval (2012-2021), asylum, or lawful U.S. presence, and prohibits arrests at schools, churches, or healthcare facilities for these violations. It allows courts to issue written orders requiring non-citizens to leave Michigan instead of jail time, provided they agree and have no prior felony convictions under this law. The bill also grants legal immunity to state/local officials enforcing it and requires fingerprinting for individuals charged under the law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new immigration crimes with mandatory penalties (up to 20 years), expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice system.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCriminalizes undocumented presence with jail/fines, increases state enforcement; exceptions don't override primary restrictive nature.95% confidence

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 40: Law enforcement: other; deportation task force; create. Creates new act.

SB 40 creates the DEPORT task force (Developing Effective Policies on Orderly Removal and Transportation) to advise Michigan's legislature on immigration enforcement cooperation. The task force, composed of elected officials, law enforcement leaders, and trafficking experts, must recommend policies to facilitate deportations, improve local law enforcement training regarding undocumented immigrants, and enhance coordination with U.S. Homeland Security. It is required to submit a preliminary report within one month and a final report within one year of its formation. The bill establishes this study group to guide potential state-level actions, not to implement new immigration laws.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates task force to facilitate deportations and coordinate with federal enforcement, directly advancing state-level immigration enforcement cooperation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2025

HR 29: A resolution to urge the United States Congress to pass legislation temporarily freezing the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program.

This resolution urges Congress to freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural workers at the 2023 level ($15.10/hour) through 2025. It directly affects Michigan farmers who rely on the H-2A program, as the current 2025 AEWR in Michigan is $18.15/hour - a 34% increase since 2019. The resolution seeks to prevent further wage hikes for temporary farm workers, aiming to reduce rising labor costs amid broader farm expense increases. It does not change existing law but calls on Congress to pass legislation implementing this freeze.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill freezes H-2A wage rate at $15.10 (vs. $18.15), limiting wage protections for immigrant agricultural workers, directly opposing higher compensation standards.92% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentFreezes H-2A wage rate at $15.10/hr (2023 level) to prevent 34% increase since 2019, opposing higher wages for agricultural workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 4194: State: identification cards; citizenship or legal presence requirement for obtaining a state identification card; remove. Amends secs. 1, 1a & 2 of 1972 PA 222 (MCL 28.291 et seq.).

HB 4194 removes the requirement for non-U.S. citizens to prove legal presence in Michigan to obtain a state identification card. This change directly affects non-citizen residents who currently need to submit immigration documents to apply for a state ID. The bill amends Michigan law to eliminate this verification step, allowing eligible non-citizens to access state IDs without proving immigration status. The policy change applies only to state ID cards, not driver's licenses or other documents.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship requirement for state ID, enabling non-citizens to access ID without proving legal status, supporting immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

Track

failed · Michigan · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 4195: Traffic control: driver license; citizenship or legal presence requirement for obtaining a driver license; remove. Amends secs. 50a, 51a, 232, 302, 303, 307 & 314 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.50a et seq.).

HB 4195 would remove the requirement that Michigan driver's license applicants prove U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status. It amends key sections of the Michigan Vehicle Code (specifically 257.50a, 257.51a, and others) to eliminate this eligibility barrier. The bill would directly affect residents seeking to obtain or renew a driver's license in Michigan, allowing anyone legally residing in the state to apply without verifying immigration status. This change would update the state's licensing process to remove the previous citizenship or legal presence requirement.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves immigration status requirement for driver's licenses, increasing access to state services for immigrants without verification barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4336: Crimes: other; bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons; prohibit. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 409c.

HB 4336 amends Michigan's penal code to create new state crimes related to individuals who are not authorized to be in the United States. The bill establishes felony and misdemeanor offenses for knowingly bringing, transporting, harboring, or encouraging such persons to enter or remain in the U.S. It also creates a felony offense for knowingly hiring ten or more undocumented individuals for employment within a 12-month period. Penalties include fines and imprisonment, with higher penalties for offenses involving commercial gain, serious injury, or death. An exception is provided for religious organizations bringing in volunteer ministers or missionaries.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new felonies for harboring undocumented persons and hiring them, increasing penalties. Directly opposes reform by broadening criminal offenses.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill creates felony/misdemeanor offenses for harboring, transporting, or employing undocumented persons, increasing state immigration enforcement and restricting undocumented immigrants' activities.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill criminalizes hiring undocumented workers (10+ in 12 months), restricting employment opportunities for this workforce segment and opposing labor rights protections.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4337: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crime of bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons; provide for. Amends sec. 16t, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16t). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4336'25

House Bill 4337 proposes to amend Michigan's code of criminal procedure. It specifically modifies section 16t of chapter XVII (MCL 777.16t), which pertains to sentencing guidelines. The bill aims to establish new sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons. This change would directly affect those charged with this specific crime and the courts responsible for their sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates specific sentencing guidelines for harboring undocumented persons, expanding criminalization of immigration-related offenses per indicators.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationAmends sentencing guidelines for 'bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons,' increasing penalties for aiding undocumented immigrants, aligning with restrictive enforcement measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

passed both · Michigan · House May 6, 2025

HB 4340: Human services: services or financial assistance; provision of services or grants or participation in programs for certain individuals; prohibit. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding sec. 1d.

House Bill 4340 amends Michigan's social welfare act to establish new eligibility requirements for state programs. The bill prohibits individuals from receiving services, grants, or participating in programs under this act unless they are a United States citizen or a "qualified alien." The term "qualified alien" refers to specific immigration statuses as defined by federal law. This restriction applies to state social welfare programs, with exceptions if federal law dictates otherwise.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare access by limiting eligibility for state health/human services programs to U.S. citizens or 'qualified aliens,' directly limiting patient access per bill language.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts state social welfare services to U.S. citizens and 'qualified aliens', excluding undocumented immigrants and limiting access for other non-citizens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Sanctuary Policies

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passed both · Michigan · House May 6, 2025

HB 4341: Housing: housing development authority; provision of services or grants or participation in programs for certain individuals; prohibit. Amends 1966 PA 346 (MCL 125.1401 - 125.1499c) by adding sec. 13.

HB 4341 amends the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966. It adds a new section that restricts eligibility for services, grants, or participation in programs under the act. Unless otherwise provided by federal law, individuals must be either a United States citizen or a "qualified alien" to receive these benefits. The bill defines "qualified alien" by referencing an existing federal statute (8 USC 1641).

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts housing program eligibility to U.S. citizens or 'qualified aliens,' limiting access to housing assistance and development support for non-citizens.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts housing program eligibility to citizens or federal 'qualified aliens,' excluding undocumented immigrants, thus limiting access to state services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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passed both · Michigan · House May 6, 2025

HB 4342: Revenue sharing: cities and villages; withholding of payments for enactment and enforcement of certain sanctuary policies; provide for. Amends sec. 21 of 1971 PA 140 (MCL 141.921). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4338'25, HB 4339'25

House Bill 4342 amends Michigan's state revenue sharing act, introducing a new condition for withholding state funds from local governments. Beginning October 1, 2025, the state treasurer would withhold all revenue sharing payments from any city, village, township, or county. This would occur if the local government enacts or enforces a law, ordinance, policy, or rule that violates the "local government sanctuary policy prohibition act" or the "county law enforcement protection act." Payments would be withheld for as long as the violating policy remains in effect. This bill is tied to the enactment of House Bills 4338 and 4339.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill withholds state revenue sharing funds from local governments violating sanctuary policies, defunding them and restricting government spending flow.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill withholds state funds from localities with sanctuary policies, penalizing restrictions on federal immigration enforcement cooperation, directly opposing immigrant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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