North Michigan News

State Representative Cam Cavitt has announced his support for House Resolution 19, which aims to block state funding for communities with sanctuary policies or those that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The resolution, introduced by Speaker Matt Hall of Richland Township, is effective immediately and prevents any bills involving funding for sanctuary communities from being voted on in the House.

Cavitt, a Republican from Cheboygan, expressed his views: “For far too long we’ve seen local officials seem to care more about drug dealers from Mexico or gang members from Venezuela than they do for their own friends and neighbors who follow the law and pay their taxes.” He added that local officials have the autonomy to make their own decisions but warned them of the consequences: “These communities are going to have to decide if they truly want to go it alone and whether protecting violent criminals from deportation is really more important than state funding.”

This resolution aligns with several federal measures led by President Donald Trump and Border Czar Tom Homan focused on deporting violent offenders. Recently, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student killed by a Venezuelan immigrant. This act mandates federal detention for illegal immigrants accused of crimes such as theft, burglary, assaulting law enforcement officers, or causing death or serious injury.

Previously, Cavitt introduced legislation for the Sanctuary Policy Prohibition Act and County Law Enforcement Protection Act. These initiatives aimed at stopping municipalities from enforcing policies that prevent local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities.

Cavitt emphasized the fulfillment of campaign promises through these actions: “Today, we fulfilled yet another campaign promise by using the tools at our disposal to keep our communities safe,” he said. He issued a warning to officials across Michigan: “We’re putting radical officials across Michigan on notice; they can stop their backwards efforts to roadblock federal officials and protect violent criminals or else.”

It is important to note that this resolution does not affect constitutionally required revenue sharing for municipalities.