{"id":9018,"date":"2025-09-05T11:19:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/chang\/?p=9018"},"modified":"2025-09-05T11:19:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:19:45","slug":"immigration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.senatedems.com\/chang\/2025\/09\/05\/immigration\/","title":{"rendered":"Amid Cruel, Chaotic Immigration Policy from Feds, State-Level Roundtable Underscores Need for More Humane Approach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]
\u201c<\/span>Our communities are living in fear:<\/i><\/span>\u201d \u00a0<\/span>State legislators join local immigrants\u2019 rights groups to highlight new legislative package to protect Michigan families and refugee communities from Trump\u2019s rash immigration crackdown
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<\/i><\/span>DETROIT, Mich. (Sept. 4, 2025) \u2014 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\u2019 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<\/a><\/u><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cImmigrants\u2019 rights issues don\u2019t just affect one community \u2014 they affect all of us,\u201d said Sen. Stephanie Chang <\/b>(D-Detroit). \u201cI\u2019m incredibly grateful to the people and organizations who showed up at our roundtable discussion to share stories and uplift the crucial work they\u2019re engaged in on the ground to safeguard our immigrant and refugee communities in these truly alarming and unprecedented times. What they\u2019ve shared on the fear, trauma, and disruption in our families and neighborhoods really underscores the need for our legislation \u2014 policies that were previously widely agreed upon across the country and political spectrum, grounded in longstanding American values.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hosted by the legislation\u2019s lead sponsors, State Sens. Chang<\/b>, Mary Cavanagh<\/b> (D-Redford Twp.), Jeremy Moss<\/b> (D-Bloomfield), and State <\/b>Reps. Mai Xiong<\/b> (D-Warren) and Veronica Paiz <\/b>(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\u2019s increased focus on detainment and deportation efforts at times \u2014 no matter the individual\u2019s 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\u2019s recent dismantling of decades-long, bipartisan policies has threatened the health, safety, and well-being of every single community across the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the daughter of a Mexican immigrant and a proud Michigander, silence isn\u2019t 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,\u201d said Sen. Cavanagh<\/b>, Chair of Michigan\u2019s Legislative Latino Caucus.<\/b> \u201cWhen people are afraid to report crimes, attend court hearings, or cooperate with law enforcement regardless of status \u2014 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 \u2014 regardless of party.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re seeing going on in our immigrant and refugee communities \u2014 ICE dismantling civil neighborhoods, breaking up families, and disappearing people without due process \u2014 is appalling, distressing, and downright shameful,\u201d said Sen. Moss<\/b>. \u201cAt a minimum, these actions are disrupting communities and misusing public safety resources. At a maximum, they\u2019re stripping people of their basic rights. To be abundantly clear \u2014 these are not <\/i>signs of what healthy immigration policy looks like. As state legislators, we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/u><\/span>–510<\/a><\/u><\/span> and their soon-to-be-introduced House companion bills would:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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