House panel reports package of bills targeting sanctuary policies and public-benefits eligibility after hours of testimony

The House Committee on Government Operations voted to report five immigration-related bills — House Bills 4338, 4339, 4340, 4341 and 4342 — each by a 3-2 vote, after extended testimony from bill sponsors, law-enforcement representatives, faith groups, immigrant-rights organizations and community members.

Sponsors said the bills would promote uniform cooperation with federal immigration officials, protect public safety and preserve state funds for residents they characterize as legally eligible. Opponents including civil-rights groups, legal-service providers, faith organizations and local officials said the measures would erode local control, chill cooperation with police, duplicate federal law, risk civil-rights violations and harm vulnerable people, including trafficking survivors and U.S. citizens who might be misidentified.

Representative Cabot, who introduced HB 4338, told the committee the bill "ensures that no local government in Michigan can block communication or cooperation with federal immigration officials" and that it "doesn't force local officials to act as immigration agents" but prevents local laws or policies that interfere with federal enforcement. Representative Joe Pavlo (listed in the transcript) highlighted specific enforcement provisions in HB 4339, noting…