1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that Michigan immediately rescind any agreement to share state data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Recent events demonstrate the serious risks such data sharing poses to Michigan residents and the integrity of state government. The fatal shooting of a witness by an immigration agent in Texas last year, followed by that witness's death in a fiery car crash, illustrates the dangerous consequences when federal immigration enforcement operates with unchecked access to information. Border Patrol agents have also recently returned fire near the Canadian border in New Hampshire, wounding a suspect. These incidents reveal an enforcement apparatus that is increasingly militarized and prone to violence. Michigan should not be complicit in providing data that could facilitate such enforcement actions against our residents. State databases contain sensitive information about driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, and other personal details that residents provided to their state government in good faith, not to federal immigration authorities. Sharing this data fundamentally betrays the trust between Michigan and its residents. Furthermore, such agreements create a chilling effect that discourages immigrant community members from accessing essential state services, obtaining driver's licenses for road safety, or cooperating with local law enforcement. This makes all Michigan communities less safe and undermines public health and safety initiatives that depend on broad community participation. I am asking you to take immediate action to terminate any existing data sharing agreements between Michigan and Customs and Border Protection. State resources and databases should serve Michigan residents, not federal immigration enforcement priorities that compromise public safety and community trust. Michigan has a responsibility to protect all its residents regardless of immigration status. Rescinding this agreement is a necessary step to uphold that responsibility and maintain the integrity of state government services.