Are America’s police forces pushing back against Trump?
In Michigan, some law enforcement agencies are resisting President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, citing insufficient resources and a lack of willingness to carry out large-scale deportation actions. Trump’s campaign made immigration a top priority, with a central promise to remove millions of illegal immigrants from the country. However, the reality of enforcing such a massive initiative is proving to be more complicated than many expected.
A recent survey by New York Times/Ipsos (January 2-10) shows that a majority of voters—55 percent—support Trump’s plan for mass deportations, with 88 percent backing the removal of immigrants who have criminal records and lack legal status. While there is broad bipartisan agreement that the immigration system is flawed, the approach to fixing it has been a point of contention. Most law enforcement agencies, including several in Michigan, argue that they simply don’t have the time, funding, or staffing necessary to implement such sweeping deportation plans.
Several Michigan police departments have spoken out against assisting in immigration enforcement under Trump’s policies. They argue that the local law enforcement mission does not extend to enforcing federal immigration laws. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom has been outspoken in his opposition, stating that his department’s policy of not cooperating with ICE is based on sound legal reasoning. Similarly, the Lansing Police Department has expressed that the responsibility for immigration enforcement should rest solely with federal authorities.
Despite these objections, the Trump administration is pushing back, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging prosecutors to investigate state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The Michigan House of Representatives has passed a resolution demanding local governments and universities align their policies with federal immigration law, warning that noncompliance could lead to a loss of federal funding.
Some Michigan counties, such as Sanilac and Huron, have voiced support for ICE and would assist in deportation efforts if requested. Local law enforcement in these areas understand the importance of community cooperation and the need for fair policing, while also recognizing the federal role in immigration enforcement. As tensions over enforcement continue, it remains unclear how far the Trump administration will go in sanctioning states that do not comply with its aggressive immigration measures. For many in Michigan, balancing law enforcement priorities with the values of fairness and community trust remains a delicate challenge.