Michigan would ban cities from refusing to cooperate with national agencies over the enforcement of immigration laws, under legislation proposed this summer by state Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale.

House Bill 6276, which Fink proposed in June, would prevent local governments from declaring themselves “sanctuary cities” for illegal immigrants, and fine them up to $7,500 for violations.

“I really see the sanctuary city movement as undermining our constitutional structure,” Fink said.

The East Lansing Human Rights Commission recommended to the city council on June 13 that East Lansing be named a sanctuary city. Five years ago, East Lansing decided against becoming a sanctuary city due to a Trump-era policy that would pull federal funding from the city, which is home to Michigan State University. 

“With the change, East Lansing Police Department would not cooperate with ICE [the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement], nor would they serve warrants with ICE,” the commission said in meeting documents.

Fink said Lansing’s proposal is “disrespectful to the other entities in the state that are going to follow the law.”

Fink’s proposed legislation would affect citizens across the state. 

“The enforcement of immigration laws generally has impacts everywhere,” Fink said.

While the bill has not yet come to the house floor for a vote, Fink said it is unlikely that Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would sign the bill into law. 

With very few days of legislation left this term, Fink said he is not optimistic about the bill reaching the floor but is not giving up on making Michigan free of sanctuary cities. 

“There’s always next term and I might just have to reintroduce,” Fink said.