Great Lakes Wire

Mike Rogers, a U.S. Senate candidate from Michigan, has criticized his opponent Elissa Slotkin for her stance on immigration policy. He said that Slotkin voted to allocate "taxpayer money to illegals" rather than focusing on border security. Rogers shared this statement with the Great Lakes Wire on October 31.

"As Michigan's Senator, I'll work to secure the southern border and keep our families safe and our streets clear from fentanyl," said Mike Rogers Campaign, U.S. Senate Candidate in Michigan. "Slotkin had six years to fix the border and instead voted for sanctuary cities, giving taxpayer money to illegals, and against securing the border. We must change Washington D.C. and have the backs of Michigan families."

According to Michigan radio station 89.1 WEMU, immigration policy is a significant issue for voters in the upcoming election. Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott mentioned that inmates in his county jail are frequently flagged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) once they enter the system. He noted that there are between four and nine individuals in prison with federal immigration holds.

On October 22, an immigrant named Emil Coronado Fugon Martinez was arrested in Macomb County, Michigan. According to an X post from Illegal Alien Crimes, he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, and it was found that there was a hold on his immigration detainer.

Rogers has accused Slotkin of not being committed to securing the southern border. According to the Detroit Free Press, he said she has voted against legislation aimed at reinstating border policies similar to those under the Trump Administration and against completing the border wall.

In their recent Senate debate, Rogers reiterated his criticism of Slotkin's support for the Biden Administration's border policies. According to Fox News, he argued that the $450 billion spent by the current administration on care for illegal immigrants could have funded 15 years of salaries for every Michigan teacher and state trooper. Rogers claimed Slotkin "cannot do the things that [she’s] been doing in allowing 10 million people to come into our country" while urging Congress to secure the border.

Rogers is running as the Republican candidate from Michigan for the U.S. Senate and has previously served as a state senator and U.S. representative.