LANSING- Detroit could face steep financial penalties if it fails to allow law enforcement officers to do their job, if a Clinton Township legislator has her way.

Under Rep. Kim Meltzer’s proposal, communities that act as “sanctuary cities” for illegal immigrants and don’t allow police to ask for immigrant status or papers could lose state revenue-sharing funds.

Under a 1996 federal law, local law enforcement agents can be specially trained and allowed to question the immigration status of individuals who are pulled over in routine traffic stops or arrested.

Sanctuary cities are municipalities throughout the US that pass ordinances prohibiting local police from inquiring about immigration status. The cities follow a “don’t ask, don’t tell” code.

Brian Forest, a legislative analyst in Meltzer’s office, said the concept behind the bill is to prevent cities from defying a federal law that aims to curb illegal immigration.

“It’s not right for local governments to thumb their noses at the federal government,” he said, and losing money would compel them to let police do their jobs.

Forest said cities in Michigan, such as Detroit, could lose state revenue-sharing benefits.

Revenue sharing is a program that distributes funds from state tax revenues to local governments.

Rep. Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell, supports the bill saying, “Anyone here illegally has broken laws and needs to be sent back.”

He said he doesn’t oppose easing some of the immigration requirements, but the proper way of entering any country is following the legal process.

Critics of Meltzer’s approach argue that the federal law is flawed and provides police with an excuse to arrest people based on looks, but Forest said, “It’s not racial profiling or seeking out.” 

Some states that have actively enforce the federal law, such as Florida and Alabama.

For example, in 2005 a former Arkansas state representative proposed an anti-sanctuary law to the state government.

Jeremy Hutchinson, a Republican, helped make Arkansas an anti-sanctuary state.

“There has been a heavy influx of illegal aliens who were also causing criminal problems and I heavily encourage Michigan legislators to get it done,” Hutchinson said.

David Bertram, legislative liaison for the Michigan Townships Association, said it is almost impossible to accurately account for what local governments are complying with the law.

There are 1,242 townships, and not all of them have their own police departments, he said. Under the proposal all of the townships would be required to report to the state government stating that they are enforcing the policy in accordance with the federal law.