In the last two weeks of June, Michigan State Representatives led by State Representative Abdullah Hammoud have introduced the MI Civil Rights Expansion bill package. The sponsors noted that the bills are designed to, “extend necessary civil rights protections to all residents, regardless of birthplace.”
The bills are briefly summarized below. MIRC supports these bills because the bills promote the full participation of Michigan's immigrant communities in the economic, social, and cultural life of our state.
Sponsors:
- House Resolution 126, Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit): A resolution to urge Congress to pursue humane and responsible immigration policies and oppose discriminatory policies and practices in immigration enforcement.
- House Bill 4724, Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn): Would turn Michigan into a welcoming state by prohibiting the use of state and local law enforcement resources for the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
- House Bill 4725, Rep. Ronnie Peterson (D-Ypsilanti): Prohibits discriminatory stop-and-search policies without reasonable suspicion which would prevent racial or ethnic profiling.
- House Bill 4726, Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids): Prohibits cruel and costly immigration hold requests in local jails.
- House Bill 4727, Rep. Kyra Bolden (D-Southfield): Creates the “Nonprofit Legal Organization Contract Act” to provide legal assistance for deportation proceedings.
- House Resolution, Rep. Leslie Love (D-Detroit): A resolution that encourages all of Michigan's public universities to enact welcoming policies and procedures.
- House Bill 4797, Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township): Prevents schools from discriminating against or denying admission of pupils due to immigration status, asking pupils or parents for immigration status, or requiring disclosure of immigration status.
- House Bill 4798, Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor): Allows for certain resident immigrants to have the ability to pay in-state tuition at in-state public universities.
- House Bill 4799, Rep. Sheryl Kennedy (D-Davison): Requires the Michigan Department of Education to develop curriculum regarding civil rights and the Bill of Rights.