LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) _ Immigration organizations are criticizing Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s form for reporting immigration action in this state, calling it irresponsible, dangerous and potentially illegal.
Videos and photos from citizens.
Nessel’s office launched a reporting form to collect information from residents regarding immigration action in Michigan. The AG claimed it allows residents to “report alleged misconduct by federal immigration agents in their communities.” The AG’s office also asks for any video and photos that citizens have taken.
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“The Department of Attorney General may use the information to share with third parties, like local law enforcement, for other lawful reasons,” the AG office stated.
Nessel’s actions could be illegal.
Andrew Arthur, a fellow in law and policy with the Center for Immigration Studies, was a former immigration judge and prosecutor.
He said Nessel’s actions could be illegal and in violation of the 1819 U.S. Supreme Court case McCulloch vs. Maryland. Arthur said Nessel appeared to be discriminating against a federal agency because they had not set up similar reporting forms for other policing agencies, such as the Detroit Police Department or the Michigan State Police.
“It’s inappropriate for a state to discriminate against federal functions,” Arthur said.
He also questioned why the state would want such information, since the state doesn’t have the ability to prosecute ICE agents. He said that has to be done at the federal level.
“What are you going to use this information for?” Arthur asked. “That runs the risk that bad actors could use those videos and images to dox the individual officers.”
“Irresponsible and dangerous.”
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The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) was also critical of Nessel’s actions.
“The chaos and loss of life in Minnesota showed the consequences when public officials demonize ICE and whip up radicals to obstruct lawful operations,” said Dale Wilcox, executive director and general counsel for FAIR. “This site is an extension of that: an irresponsible, dangerous action cloaked in the appearance of nonpartisan government accountability.”
State Sen. Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) said in a social media post that Michigan has “to stop voting these radicals into office. I’m drafting a letter to the AG to stop this website immediately. We need to slave her office’s funding even more.”
