LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 26, 2025) — On Tuesday, August 26, Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) introduced a comprehensive bill package to improve public safety and expand transparency and accountability in the immigration enforcement process in Michigan. Senate Bills 508–510 and partner House bills to soon be introduced, championed by Sens. Cavanagh, Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), and Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and Reps. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods) and Mai Xiong (D-Warren), work to protect the safety and privacy of Michigan immigrant and refugee communities.

“With slashes to Medicaid, generational day cares closing their doors, and residents being extracted from our communities without a trace, we have a responsibility as leaders of our state to continue to build a Michigan where families feel safe, communities are treated with dignity and respect, and our shared humanity guides our decisions,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, I know firsthand how important it is for people to feel seen, respected, and safe in the communities in which they reside or the state they call home. This package helps to craft a humane solution to the innocent Michigan residents being caught in the crosshairs of our broken immigration system and protects the humanity of our neighbors.”

Together, Senate Bills 508-510 and the companion House bills would:

Ensure the safety and dignity of Michigan residents by designating schools, places of worship, hospitals, courthouses, and organizations providing services to pregnant women, victims of crime, or disabled individuals as protected spaces from immigration enforcement, unless there is imminent public danger or a judicial warrant.
Protect the privacy of personal information by prohibiting government entities from giving personal identifying information to others for the purposes of immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.
Prevent law enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identity unless they are conducting an undercover operation or other permittable instances.

Senate Bill 508 is based heavily off the sensitive locations policy that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had in place for more than a decade, including under President Trump’s first administration. Senate Bill 510 closely mirrors the federal VISIBLE Act, introduced last month in the United States Senate by Sen. Elissa Slotkin, supported by several other Democratic Senators, including Sen. Gary Peters.

“We are truly in unprecedented times for immigration enforcement. We see immigrants being kidnapped off the streets by masked officers, refugees who have been here for decades being separated from their families, individuals being deported with due process violations, and people being taken away in court or school — in spaces that were protected even under the Trump 1.0 administration,” said Sen. Chang. “My colleagues and I are here to say that in Michigan, we must protect immigrants’ rights, and we must protect people’s private information and due process. We stand with our immigrant and refugee communities who bring so much vibrancy and value to our state.”

“Dismantling communities, breaking up families, snatching people off the street and disappearing them to El Salvador without due process are not signs of a healthy immigration policy,” said Sen. Moss. “Public safety depends on trust between residents and law enforcement. We should not empower the Trump administration to use secret masked police to wreak havoc on civil neighborhoods in Michigan. Instead, we must demand transparency, accountability, and humanity in our state’s immigration enforcement process.”

“No one should live in fear of seeking an education, practicing their faith, or accessing health care in our state,” said Rep. Paiz. “This legislation is about ensuring that everyone in Michigan can go about their lives without fear of secretive raids and due process violations. Our complicated history shows that progress endures only when we extend dignity and safe harbor to every person. Here in Michigan, we choose to solve problems with transparency and fairness, not fear and division.”

“Michigan is my home because it gave refuge to my family, and I’m determined to keep it a safe home for all who live here,” said Rep. Xiong. “We’ve seen far too many families torn apart by inhumane and deceitful enforcement tactics, such as officers snatching people while at work or when they enter federal buildings. These extreme detainment measures need to end now. With these bills, we are taking a stance and letting our neighbors know that they deserve to live without fear, to be treated with basic decency and to know that our laws will protect their rights.”

Senate Bills 508-510 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety where they await further consideration.