What expanded federal immigration enforcement funding could mean for residents in southwest Michigan

Earlier this month, the federal government approved more than $70 billion in new funding for immigration enforcement agencies, marking one of the largest expansions of federal immigration enforcement spending in recent years. 

The legislation, passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on June 11, allocates funding through 2029 — the end of Trump’s presidency — for agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The package includes roughly $38 billion for ICE operations, including hiring and training officers, expanding enforcement operations, and increasing coordination efforts with local law enforcement agencies. 

The bill comes after months of national debate over immigration enforcement practices. Earlier this year, federal immigration officers came under scrutiny after two protesters were shot and killed during demonstrations in Minneapolis, prompting congressional Democrats to push for reforms tied to additional funding. Those reforms were ultimately not included in the final legislation. 

While the legislation represents a major shift in federal immigration enforcement spending, what it means locally is less straightforward. 

For residents in southwest Michigan, questions remain about whether expanded federal funding could lead to increased cooperation between local police agencies and federal immigration authorities.

Local impact

In response to questions from Watershed Voice, the Three Rivers Police Department said it does not independently enforce civil immigration law and has not received any requests for additional cooperation connected to the new federal funding. 

“The Three Rivers Police Department’s primary responsibility is to serve and protect the community by enforcing state and local laws and promoting public safety,” Chief Scott Boling wrote in a statement. 

The department added that while it may cooperate with federal law enforcement when legally appropriate during criminal investigations, routine interactions with officers do not automatically trigger immigration enforcement actions. 

“Routine interactions with officers — such as reporting a crime, requesting emergency assistance, serving as a witness, or being involved in a traffic stop — do not automatically result in immigration enforcement actions,” the department said. 

For immigrant residents, the department said those community members should feel comfortable contacting police when they need help. 

“Department personnel are committed to treating all individuals with dignity and respect and making law enforcement decisions based on facts, circumstances, and applicable law, not on a person’s race, ethnicity, national origin, language, accent, or religion.” 

Similar sentiments are tied to policies in neighboring communities. 

Public policy documents from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety state that officers do not have authority to independently enforce federal immigration law and should not stop, arrest, or detain individuals solely based on suspected immigration status. Department policy also states officers should not ask about immigration status when interacting with victims or witnesses seeking assistance. 

Advocates nationally have raised concerns about the scale of the new federal funding package, particularly because the legislation provides agencies with funding through the end of Trump’s current term rather than requiring annual congressional review. Critics argue the move limits federal oversight while significantly expanding enforcement capacity. 

For local residents in southwest Michigan, however, local law enforcement agencies say daily interactions with police remain separate from federal immigration enforcement. 

Although federal immigration enforcement is expanding nationally, local agencies contacted by Watershed Voice say residents reporting crimes, seeking emergency help, or interacting with officers during routine encounters should not expect those interactions to automatically involve immigration authorities. 

As federal immigration policy continues to evolve, residents seeking immigration related legal assistance can contact organizations including the Immigrant Rights Center and other regional legal aid groups serving southwest Michigan.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.