March 27, 2024

State Representative Tullio Liberati

Chairman, Government Operations Committee
S-586 Anderson House Office Building
124 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

Chair Liberati,

We respectfully request a committee hearing on HBs 4879 & 4880, which would put an end to sanctuary
cities and counties in Michigan. These bills will void disastrous local policies that tie the hands of law
enforcement by prohibiting them from communicating or cooperating with federal officials charged with
enforcing immigration laws.

In just the past week, Michiganders witnessed a vivid and tragic reminder of the urgent need to secure our
border and follow our laws. An illegal immigrant confessed to shooting and murdering a 25-year-old
woman, Ruby Garcia, in Grand Rapids. The killer was deported once before during the Trump
administration in 2020, but the federal government’s failure to secure our border since then enabled him
to return. Prior to his deportation, the man had been arrested multiple times. He was convicted in
Wyoming of illegal entry into a residence, and he had an outstanding bench warrant in Grand Rapids for a
2020 case of suspected drunk driving and driving without a valid license.

This immigration crisis is not being addressed at the federal level, and worse, it’s being perpetuated by
local polices in Michigan. There are more than 20 “sanctuary” or “welcoming” communities in our state
with over 5.5 million residents living in them, including Kent County and Grand Rapids. With over half
of our residents living in areas that have embraced this policy of obstructing the enforcement of our
nation’s immigration laws, it’s never been more critical to consider this legislation.

This growing public safety problem is a deep concern for people who want our laws enforced. A Gallup
poll completed in February found that 28% of Americans think immigration is the most important
problem facing this country today – ranking higher than any other category. Over half the country (55%)
responded by saying that large numbers of immigrants entering the United States illegally is a critical
threat to U.S. vital interests – higher than it’s ever been.

We greatly appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your response.

Respectfully,

Republican Leader Matt Hall Representative Cam Cavitt

42nd District 106th District