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CURRENT PRESS RELEASE |
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2/24/11
According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform in 2009, illegal immigration cost Michigan $929 million in healthcare, education, welfare, corrections and other human services.
State Rep. Dave Agema has introduced a bill to allow law enforcement personnel to determine the immigration status of individuals when an officer has lawfully stopped, detained or arrested an individual for a violation. The stipulations regarding legal stops prevent racial profiling.
"Illegal immigration is a security issue, a jobs issue, and a fiscal issue," said Agema, R-Grandville. "This legislation is consistent with federal law and protects individual civil rights. Preserving our borders and calling to task those who are in this country illegally is something we owe to ourselves and to our future generations."
Agema's bill requires verification of legal status for anyone over 18 before that person receives welfare; protects police officers acting in good faith while seeking proof of immigration status; prohibits state agencies from adopting policies that restrict enforcement of federal immigration laws; and allows individuals to seek legal recourse if any official or state agency restricts enforcement of federal immigration law.
"Michigan needs to have every opportunity to get on its feet economically," Agema said. "The millions of dollars spent on people who are in this state illegally isn't sustainable. This bill puts a valuable tool in the hands of our law enforcement officers, who work to keep us safe and keep our society secure."
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