Legislator unveils plan to hold municipalities with sanctuary policies accountable 

State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis today unveiled a plan that would allow crime victims and their families to hold municipalities with sanctuary policies accountable for damages if they are harmed in the commission of a crime by an illegal immigrant.

Afendoulis, of Grand Rapids Township, said communities in Michigan should be focused on creating a safe environment where law-abiding people, including legal immigrants, can raise their families – not providing a sanctuary for criminal aliens.

“If a local government gambles with the safety of its residents by refusing to comply with federal immigration law, they must be held accountable,” Afendoulis said. “It’s time to establish consequences for jurisdictions that adopt these reckless policies and empower victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants to seek justice.

“Law-abiding immigrants bring richness to our communities; illegal immigrants who commit crimes bring harm, and cities who give them safe harbor must be held accountable.”

Afendoulis’ plan allows a person who is injured or whose property is damaged or the family of an individual whose death is the direct result of a felony committed by an illegal immigrant in a jurisdiction with a sanctuary policy to seek damages from the municipality in civil court.

“The government should never put the sanctuary of criminals who enter our country illegally above the safety of families in our communities – but that’s exactly what they’re doing,” Afendoulis said. “My plan ensures local governments can be held liable if they continue to refuse to deal with the criminals who live in our communities illegally.”

The plan will be formally introduced in the Michigan House later today.

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