East Lansing Only Michigan City on DOJ Sanctuary Jurisdictions List

The Trump administration has officially designated East Lansing, Michigan, home to Michigan State University, as a sanctuary city due to local policies that impede federal immigration enforcement. This designation appears on the Department of Justice's updated list of sanctuary jurisdictions, which now excludes several other Michigan communities previously named, such as Kent County and Kalamazoo County. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the administration's commitment to pursuing legal action against sanctuary jurisdictions, stating these policies put American citizens at risk. East Lansing city officials have not publicly responded to their continued inclusion on the list, despite the city's 2023 city council vote to adopt sanctuary city status. The designation may impact federal funding, with East Lansing set to receive millions in transportation and community development grants. The Trump administration's executive order and subsequent enforcement efforts reflect its broader hard-line stance on immigration, with ongoing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions like New York City as well.