So-called "sanctuary cities" in Michigan could soon face the loss of state funding.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Kowall plans to introduce legislation to reduce state funding to cities that have policies discouraging police officers from asking people about their immigration status.
“We’re serious about this and we want to make sure this is taken care of,” says Kowall.
The alleged murder of a woman in San Francisco by an undocumented immigrant has focused attention on such policies.
Detroit and Ann Arbor are two sanctuary cities in Michigan.
Kowall is asking the public to take part in an online petition on sanctuary city policies.
Kowall says he supports the proposed expansion of certain employment-based visas for skilled legal immigrants and workers. There are five types of special visas that permit a non-citizen to be a legal guest and earn employment-based permanent residency.
