DETROIT, Mich. (Sept. 4, 2025) — Earlier this week, following months of cruel and inhumane immigration enforcement tactics from Washington D.C. fueling fear and chaos for families across the nation, several state legislators joined local immigrants’ rights groups for a roundtable discussion in Detroit to highlight the urgency behind recently introduced legislation that would protect Michiganders, including our immigrant and refugee communities, from being stripped of their rights here in this state.
“Immigrants’ rights issues don’t just affect one community — they affect all of us,” said Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit). “I’m incredibly grateful to the people and organizations who showed up at our roundtable discussion to share stories and uplift the crucial work they’re engaged in on the ground to safeguard our immigrant and refugee communities in these truly alarming and unprecedented times. What they’ve shared on the fear, trauma, and disruption in our families and neighborhoods really underscores the need for our legislation — policies that were previously widely agreed upon across the country and political spectrum, grounded in longstanding American values.”
Hosted by the legislation’s lead sponsors, State Sens. Chang, Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.), Jeremy Moss (D-Bloomfield), and State Reps. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods), the event uplifted the day-to-day realities our communities across Michigan are experiencing, especially those within immigrant and refugee communities, in light of the federal administration’s increased focus on detainment and deportation efforts at times — no matter the individual’s status. From the uptick in racial profiling by local law enforcement officials to the disappearing of people off streets without due process, the current administration’s recent dismantling of decades-long, bipartisan policies has threatened the health, safety, and well-being of every single community across the state.
“As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and a proud Michigander, silence isn’t an option when the rights, safety, and well-being of residents across the state are blatantly being threatened and attacked. This legislation reflects a long-standing, common-sense approach to public safety and trust within our communities,” said Sen. Cavanagh, Chair of Michigan’s Legislative Latino Caucus. “When people are afraid to report crimes, attend court hearings, or cooperate with law enforcement regardless of status — it endangers our entire community and state. This package focuses on making sure our policies support safer, stronger communities across Michigan and are rooted in humanity, freedom, and our constitutional rights — regardless of party.”
Representatives from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Council (MIRC), ACLU of Michigan, Rising Voices, and former state legislator Belda Garza participated in the roundtable, highlighting the needs and concerns facing immigrant communities and how they’re working to safeguard families while the federal government attempts to blatantly strip their rights away. One recurring challenge that emerged from the discussion: how the overwhelming barriers, fear, and anxiety facing local immigrant and refugee groups have prevented many from participating in all aspects of public life, from going to school, church, or seeking the health care they need.
“What we’re seeing going on in our immigrant and refugee communities — ICE dismantling civil neighborhoods, breaking up families, and disappearing people without due process — is appalling, distressing, and downright shameful,” said Sen. Moss. “At a minimum, these actions are disrupting communities and misusing public safety resources. At a maximum, they’re stripping people of their basic rights. To be abundantly clear — these are not signs of what healthy immigration policy looks like. As state legislators, we’re doing as much as we can to protect the most vulnerable in our communities living under the unprecedented threat of this administration, leading not only with our values, but also with commonsense policy and the rule of law.”
All who call Michigan home should have the opportunity and freedom to live with dignity and peace of mind that their constitutional rights will be respected. To strengthen public safety and ensure greater transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement processes, Senate Bills 508–510 and their soon-to-be-introduced House companion bills would:
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Senate Bill 508 (Cavanagh): Designate schools, places of worship, hospitals, courthouses, and organizations providing services to pregnant women, victims of crime, or disabled individuals as protected spaces from immigration enforcement, unless there is imminent public danger or a judicial warrant.
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Senate Bill 509 (Chang): Protect the privacy of personal information by prohibiting government entities from giving personal identifying information to others for the purposes of immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
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Senate Bill 510 (Moss): Prevent law enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identity unless they are conducting an undercover operation or other permittable instances.
