Bills 382 and 383 would require any local law that limits communication between local officials and federal immigration officials to be amended or repealed by the local county or government body it originated from.

The Council's agenda report cited that the passing of these bills would hinder the city's commitment of being a welcoming city.

The agenda referenced an ordinance that was adopted over 45 years ago against discrimination.

"(The city) declares discrimination based on religion or national origin to be unlawful within the borders of the City of East Lansing and defines national origin to include those who are not naturalized citizens," according to the agenda.

Council Member Mark Meadows said in an email that East Lansing continues to protect the rights of all who are living within its jurisdiction. 

Professor Anna Pegler-Gordon, from MSU’s James Madison College, said she thinks, by restricting local governments’ sovereignty, that these bills are an overstep of the state Senate.

“It is within the rights of local governments to choose not to work with the federal immigration authorities,” Pegler-Gordon said. “It really makes no sense for the state government to be telling local governments what to do on this.”

Beyond the institutional ramifications these bills would have, she believes there are personal ones to be made — ones that attack certain individuals. 

“I think that these policies typically are designed to threaten immigrant groups and also to have a chilling effect on them seeking the rights that they are entitled to under the law,” she said.

Michigan State enrolled over 6,260 international students, according to a 2018 statistical report.

“I think it's really important for East Lansing and for MSU — as a location which has a very large number of international students, immigrant students and undocumented individuals living in this city — I think it's really important for both the university and the City Council to come out and say that they oppose this,” Pegler-Gordon said.

Political science junior Jena Khasawneh is vice president of DreaMSU, a student-run organization dedicated to the rights of immigrant, undocumented and DACA students at MSU.

Khasawneh said she felt encouraged by East Lansing’s opposition to the bills.

“A welcoming city is one that ensures no matter your background, your immigration status or anything like that you can feel safe here and won’t have to worry about those kind of things.”

Khasawneh said it’s important to put yourself in undocumented immigrants’ shoes and to remember their immigration status does not define who they are.

“You try to understand their circumstances and also understand how they’re enriching our community and making our community a lot better,” she said.

The resolution is set to be forwarded to State Representative Julie Brixie, State Senator Curtis Hertel and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.