Killian Bies

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Thursday adopted a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to restore and strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, citing recent federal immigration enforcement actions and changes to oversight agencies.

Senate Resolution 92, introduced by a group of Democratic senators, calls on Congress to increase federal supervision of immigration enforcement in response to what the resolution describes as rising public concern, recent fatal incidents during enforcement operations, and reductions in internal oversight offices within DHS.

The resolution states that community leaders and demonstrators nationwide have raised concerns about ICE enforcement tactics and accountability. It further asserts that continued enforcement actions, combined with what it characterizes as reduced oversight, have contributed to heightened tensions and diminished trust in affected communities.

According to the resolution, the Trump administration has restructured or reduced staffing in several DHS oversight offices, including the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. The resolution also references staffing reductions within the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, which traditionally investigates allegations of unconstitutional law enforcement practices.

The Senate measure argues that reduced oversight capacity has resulted in unaddressed complaints regarding officer conduct and has limited independent review of enforcement actions. It urges Congress to restore accountability mechanisms to ensure immigration enforcement is conducted lawfully and transparently.

Senate resolutions do not carry the force of law and do not require approval by the governor. Instead, they serve to formally express the position of the chamber. Copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, and members of Michigan’s congressional delegation.

The resolution does not mandate changes to Michigan law or alter federal enforcement authority