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HB 4859

Law enforcement: other; immigration enforcement at certain locations; prohibit in certain circumstances. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Breen and 14 co-sponsors

HB 4859 bars immigration enforcement in sensitive places (schools, hospitals, houses of worship, courthouses) with court orders or imminent-danger exceptions.

bill electronically reproduced 09/09/2025
#alienage:other #lawenforcement:other
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Bill Summary · HB 4859

Summary of HB 4859 (Michigan) — Immigration Enforcement at Sensitive Locations

Overview

HB 4859 would create a new act restricting immigration enforcement actions by law enforcement officers in designated “sensitive locations.” The bill defines specific locations and circumstances under which immigration enforcement actions may not be conducted, establishing a general prohibition with narrow exceptions. The aim appears to be to limit law enforcement activities related to immigration status at places such as schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and other sites serving vulnerable populations.

Key definitions

  • Immigration enforcement action: Any action by a law enforcement officer for purposes of immigration enforcement or to obtain information about an individual's immigration or citizenship status, including:
    • Arresting or interviewing an individual
    • Conducting a search or surveillance
  • Sensitive location: Includes, at a minimum:
    • An educational institution
    • A place of worship
    • A hospital
    • The site of a funeral, wedding, or other public religious ceremony
    • A courthouse
    • The site of an organization that assists children, pregnant women, victims of crime or abuse, or individuals with significant mental or physical disabilities
  • Educational institution: As defined in the Michigan election law

Core provisions

  • General prohibition: With limited exceptions, a law enforcement officer may not conduct an immigration enforcement action in a sensitive location.
  • Exceptions:
    1. A court order directing entry into the sensitive location allows a law enforcement officer to conduct an immigration enforcement action there.
    2. If the action is necessary to address an imminent danger to public safety, an immigration enforcement action may be conducted in a sensitive location.

Who is affected

  • Law enforcement officers and agencies in Michigan, required to comply with the protections for sensitive locations.
  • Sensitive-location environments include educational institutions, places of worship, hospitals, sites of public religious ceremonies, courthouses, and sites operated by organizations assisting vulnerable populations (e.g., children, pregnant women, crime or abuse victims, or individuals with significant disabilities).
  • Potential impact on individuals encountered in or around these locations, particularly those whose immigration status might be sought during enforcement actions.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: March 13, 2025
  • First reading: April 3, 2025
  • Referral: State Affairs (initial); later referred to Government Operations
  • Status/routing as introduced: bill electronically reproduced September 9, 2025; introduced by Rep. Mai Xiong
  • This summary reflects the introduced text; no law has been enacted as of the latest information.

Potential implications

  • Reduces potential immigration enforcement actions in sensitive settings, potentially increasing access to educational, medical, religious, judicial, and social-service environments without immigration status concerns.
  • Requires courts to be involved (via court order) for enforcement actions in sensitive locations, and allows action only when imminent danger is present.
  • Could affect coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities by creating clearer statutory boundaries in sensitive locations.
  • Implementation would depend on how “imminent danger” is interpreted and applied in practice, as well as how courts issue orders for entry into sensitive locations.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing Michigan statutes or provide a side-by-side with similar reforms in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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