Community Advocacy, Get Involved!
We will use this page for compiling current calls to action at local, state & federal level that help protect our planet & neighbors.
Protecting Neighbors & Communities from ICE:
OAKLAND CAFE (Community Aid For Empowerment) is an Oakland County mutual aid org. We're sharing materials and resources here from their presentation at our shop 1/30. Please get involved in whatever way you can.
- IF YOU SEE ICE IN OAKLAND COUNTY, CALL CAFE'S HOTLINE AT 248-340-3775. Trained verifiers will respond.
- Arrange presentations at local churches and other community organizations. CAFE will come and present if you can reserve a space and invite vetted guests.
- Learn how to safely distribute food and other essentials to families in need.
- Learn how to help local small businesses to review their rights and distribute kits and information to protect their employees and businesses. CAFE will help Walking Lightly organize local small businesses, so please reach out to Tessa at Walking Lightly if you want to get involved with this.
- Donate to CAFE's Go Fund Me HERE to help CAFE put funds into Commissary and phone accounts for prisoners in ICE detention, purchase infant formula and other essentials, print materials, and other CAFE expenses.
- Serve as Verifiers in CAFE's ICE Neighborhood Watch program. CAFE's hotline covers Oakland County, and we are recruiting and training Verifiers in every city / township to join our network. CAFE will provide training and ride alongs so local groups support each other. Next training opportunity Saturday Feb 7th. Flyer below.
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Help advocate for legislation that designates schools, courthouses, hospitals, and churches as sensitive locations free from ICE enforcement; prohibits state agencies from handing over personal information solely for immigration enforcement and requires local police to focus on enforcing local laws; and requiring ICE to follow standard law enforcement procedures. Join us to call and write letters to state, county and municipal elected officials to advocate for these policies that protect immigrants and citizens. *Sample letters below.Also: Ask the Attorney General and candidates to hold ICE and GEO (which owns the detention center in Baldwin, MI) accountable. *A sample letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel is below.
PHONE CALL SCRIPTS FOR YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE IN LANSING, ATTORNEY GENERAL DANA NESSEL, MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT
Senator : (Find your State Senator here)
My name is ______ and I’m your constituent at _______. Please support SB 508, 509, and
510. These bills are currently in the Michigan State Senate Committee on Civil Rights,
Judiciary, and Public Safety. These bills require federal law enforcement agents to follow
standard law enforcement procedures, protect our rights, and hold law enforcement to
standards of transparency and accountability. Thank you.
Speaker of the House Representative Matt Hall: 517-373-1784 (Also call your
representative if other than Representative Hall, find them here)
My name is _____ and I’m your constituent at _________. Please support HB 4760, HB4859
and HB4941 which require federal law enforcement agents to follow standard law enforcement
procedures, protect our constitutional rights, and hold law enforcement to standards of
transparency and accountability. Thank you.
Attorney General Dana Nessel: 517-335-7622
My name is _______, and I’m your constituent at ___________. Please hold ICE / CBP
accountable for violating Michigan laws by establishing a reporting portal where we can submit
documentation of violations, and issuing guidance to local law enforcement agencies and school
districts clarifying that public safety, school attendance, and family stability are core proprieties.
Thank you.
Letter/Email Templates to Legislators & AG: (find their names & contact info here)
Senator _________
The Binsfeld Office Building
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, MI 48933
Dear Senator ;
In response to the increasingly aggressive and dehumanizing immigration enforcement methods
being deployed across the country, Senate Bills 508, 509, and 510, aim to protect Michigan
families by creating meaningful, common-sense protections.
Senate Bill 508 would designate certain places like courthouses and other “sensitive locations”
as immigration-enforcement-free zones. Michigan residents should not have to fear
encountering masked secret police when they are receiving care in a hospital. Children should
not have to fear being taken by ICE / CBP while they sit in a classroom. Under this bill, such
publicly funded spaces would prohibit non-emergency law enforcement activity unless
accompanied by a valid judicial warrant.
Senate Bill 509 would prohibit state agencies from handing over someone's personal
information solely for the purposes of immigration enforcement, without a judicial warrant.
Protecting our personal information from unauthorized disclosure or overreaching government
actors has never been more critical to maintaining Michiganders' fundamental right to privacy.
Our local police should focus on local law enforcement and build trust with all members of our
local community.
We are deeply concerned about masked agents and the “secret police” tactics of the Trump
administration. Racial profiling is poor policing and undermines law and order. Senate Bill 510
would require that ICE / CBP follow standard law enforcement procedures, like all other law
enforcement agencies. This bill prohibits all on-duty law enforcement officers from wearing a
face covering that conceals or obscures their identity while interacting with the public, absent a
handful of exceptions. The bill also requires that all on-duty law enforcement officers wear their
uniform. This bill would go a long way to protect our rights and hold law enforcement to
standards of transparency and accountability to all people of Michigan, not just immigrants.
These bills are currently in the Michigan State Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and
Public Safety. We urge you to vote in favor of these bills.
Sincerely,
Representative Matt Hall
Speaker of the House
Room H-164 Capitol Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Representative Hall;
I am writing to ask you to give full support to HB 4760, HB4859 and HB4941.
HB4859 and its Senate equivalent S-508 would restrict such immigration actions as arresting or
interviewing an individual or conducting a search or surveillance in sensitive locations without a
valid judicial warrant. These locations include educational institutions, places of worship,
hospitals and courthouses. This legislation is necessary because the people in our communities
need to feel safe when attending to their personal needs, seeking medical help, and fulfilling
legal requirements.
HB4941 and its Senate equivalent S-509 would prohibit law enforcement agencies from
entering into, modifying, or renewing agreements with the Department of Homeland Security.
Our local law enforcement agencies have their hands full enforcing local laws and ensuring
public safety. Asking local police to enforce federal immigration law undermines community
trust in local and state law enforcement officers. The bill would also help to reduce concerns
about racial profiling by local police.
HB 4760, Justice Needs No Mask, and its equivalent Senate Bill 510 would require that ICE
/CBP follow standard law enforcement procedures, like all other law enforcement agencies. This
bill prohibits all on-duty law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings that conceal or
obscure their identity while interacting with the public, absent a handful of exceptions. The bill
also requires that all on-duty law enforcement officers wear their uniform. Secrecy creates
dangerous situations and these incidents look like kidnappings or criminal acts. This bill would
go a long way to protect our rights and hold law enforcement to standards of transparency and
accountability to all people of Michigan, not just immigrants.
I am deeply concerned about masked agents and the extreme “secret police” tactics of the
Trump administration. Supporting law and order requires protecting us from overreaching
government actions. Maintaining law and order is about protecting and helping us feel safe in
our neighborhoods. I look forward to hearing more from you regarding these bills and giving
them your complete support.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Dana Nessel
Michigan Attorney General
P.O. Box 30212
Lansing, MI 48909-7712
Dear Attorney General Nessel,
We write to you as concerned members of the community in Michigan and as people who care
deeply about the safety, stability, and rights of hardworking immigrant families. In the past
months we and many local neighbors and concerned friends have seen alarming incidents in our
region, including the Pontiac area, in which noncriminal, law-abiding Latino families have been
targeted by federal immigration enforcement, separated, intimidated, or made to live in constant
fear of losing their livelihoods and children. These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a
pattern that has deeply harmful effects on our families, our children’s education and well-being,
and the sense of security in our neighborhoods.
In New York, under Attorney General Letitia James, an online reporting portal was launched to
create a record of potential illegal conduct by ICE / CBP that could be used in possible legal
actions, to bring accountability and transparency to federal immigration enforcement. Similar
measures are being taken in Illinois and California. I urge you to consider taking bold, parallel
action here in Michigan. Establish a reporting mechanism, investigate and hold accountable local
officials or law enforcement entities that facilitate unjust ICE detentions of non-criminal
families, and ensure that schools, children, and families are safe and free from illegal
intimidation.
In particular, we have credible reports that ICE / CBP have;
November 18: Abducted a US citizen from Pontiac and returned him a few hours later
with a concussion and broken ribs.
December 2 and 3: Concealed VIN numbers and switched license plates on their cars.
December 3: Body slammed teenagers in Pontiac who told them they were citizens and
were not resisting.
Michiganders, including U.S. citizens, are being racially profiled simply because they are brown
and low income. ICE and CBP are detaining and deporting immigrants and citizens without
judicial warrants or due process and undermining our democracy. Michiganders who vote and
participate in civic life feel abandoned and fear that our rights are not being protected despite the
trust we placed in you. You have built your career on protecting civil rights, giving voice to the
vulnerable, and restoring trust in the legal system. This moment presents an opportunity for your
office to lead a swift, compassionate, and principled response that reaffirms that Michigan stands
for the rights of all our residents regardless of immigration status.
We respectfully request that your office:
- Establish a state-level reporting portal where immigrant families and community
organizations can submit concerns about detentions, removals, and local cooperation with
ICE / CBP.
2. Issue guidance to local law enforcement agencies and school districts clarifying that
school attendance, family stability, and public safety are core priorities.
3. Hold ICE / CBP accountable for any violations of Michigan laws.
We believe you can be the strong voice and advocate our immigrant neighbors need. Many of us
supported you because we believed you would stand for everyone in Michigan, including
immigrant families who contribute every day to our economy and communities. We ask you now
to step up and show leadership.
Thank you for your time, your public service, and your commitment to the people of Michigan.
We would like to meet with you to discuss our concerns. We look forward to your action and
remain willing to assist in any community engagement efforts your office may undertake.
Sincerely,
🗣️ Oakland County residents — we need your voice.
On Tuesday, Feb 10 at 9:00 AM, the Legislative Affairs & Government Operations (LAGO) Committee meets, and residents can speak for 3 minutes during public comment.
A proposed resolution has been submitted that would ensure Oakland County buildings remain safe places for residents to access services, attend meetings, and engage with their government — without fear of civil immigration enforcement inside those spaces.
But this only moves forward if we ask.
If you live in Oakland County, please attend and use your 3 minutes to ask commissioners to bring this resolution forward for a full Board vote.
This is about public safety.
This is about access to services.
This is about keeping county government focused on serving residents.
📍 LAGO Committee Meeting
🗓 Tuesday, Feb 10
⏰ 9:00 AM
🎤 Public comment: 3 minutes per speaker
Show up. Speak up. Demand action.
If you are unable to attend, please consider sending an email. Template (complete w/ addresses below!)
TO: woodwardd@oakgov.com; johnsonb@oakgov.com; luebsp@oakgov.com; ericksongaulta@oakgov.com; spiszm@oakgov.com; gingellm@oakgov.com; hoffm2521@comcast.net; joliatk@oakgov.com; powellan@oakgov.com; nelsonkd@oakgov.com; longc@oakgov.com; weipertpj@oakgov.com; smileyr@oakgov.com; markhamg@oakgov.com; millerw@oakgov.com; charlesy@oakgov.com; taylorlm@oakgov.com; cavellc@oakgov.com; gershensonm@oakgov.com; weaverh@oakgov.com
CC: andrewsmb@oakgov.com; mullanw@oakgov.com; equity@oakgov.com; boc@oakgov.com; info@oakgov.com
Subject: Resolution - Civil immigration enforcement in OC buildings & facilities
Dear Board Chair Woodward, LAGO Chair Johnson, OC Commissioners, and Diversity Officer Weaver,
I am writing to you as an Oakland County resident to respectfully request your review and consideration of the proposed resolution regarding civil immigration enforcement activities in Oakland County buildings and facilities.
This resolution affirms a simple yet fundamental idea: Oakland County buildings exist so all residents can safely access public services, participate in civic life, and engage with their local government without fear. It clarifies that civil immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and ensures that County resources, staff, and facilities remain focused on serving the public unless presented with a valid judicial warrant or court order.
Across the country, local governments are taking thoughtful steps to protect public trust and safety while remaining fully compliant with the law. Washtenaw County recently adopted a similar approach, and communities throughout Oakland County have urged their local governments to consider the same. This proposal is carefully written to be legally sound, consistent with Oakland County’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, safety and respectful of the County’s proper role.
Most importantly, this resolution is about maintaining access to services. When residents are afraid to enter public buildings — whether for health services, court services, public meetings, or assistance programs — the entire community is affected.
I respectfully ask that this resolution be referred to the Legislative Affairs and Government Operations Committee for review and then brought forward for consideration by the full Board of Commissioners.
Thank you for your leadership and for your continued work to ensure Oakland County remains a place where all residents can safely engage with their local government.
Sincerely,
First & Last Name
City of [Your City]
Oakland County Resident
[Email/Phone if you feel comfortable]