Right now in Michigan, Native Americans are being warned to carry ID just to prove they belong here, even though they’re US citizens, living on their own ancestral land.

That’s because tribal leaders say immigration agents are stepping up activity in northern Michigan, as recent court rulings mean people can now be stopped based on race or accent alone, sweeping up Native Americans who have more of a right to be here than anyone else. The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski has the story.

Plus: New independent polling numbers show that the Democratic race for Michigan’s open US Senate seat remains wide open.

Slotkin calls for Noem to resign (Michigan Advance): Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan called on the Senate floor for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to resign, be fired or impeached, blaming department leadership after the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and saying “there need to be consequences.” Slotkin, who voted to confirm Noem, also pushed to strip DHS funding from a larger appropriations package and called for ICE reforms.

‘No drone zone’ bills get committee hearing (WEMU): Bipartisan Michigan bills would create no-drone zones over sensitive sites and let local police take down trespassing drones, with supporters warning of security risks from weaponized or spying drones. Drone industry leaders backed the effort, but shared concerns over expanding power and the practicality of the measures.

Conservative Michigan college teams partner with White House for history videos (Bridge Michigan): Hillsdale College is partnering with the White House on “The Story of America” videos for the country’s 250th anniversary. Critics argue that the series presents an ideologically narrow, overly celebratory version of US history.

Tribal leaders have a warning for Native Americans in Michigan: Carry your ID.

On this edition of “so what, Michigan?,” Political correspondent Kyle Kaminski explains why it’s more important than ever to know your rights—because racial profiling is now an official function of immigration enforcement.

(The ’Gander Instagram)

From left to right: Rep. Haley Stevens, former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed and State Sen. Mallory McMorrow. (USA Today Network)

By USA Today via Reuters Connect

A new independent poll shows US Rep. Haley Stevens’ perceived frontrunner status in this year’s Democratic primary for Michigan’s open US Senate seat in doubt.

Emerson College Polling in Boston released a poll on Jan. 29 showing 22.4% of likely Democratic primary voters favoring state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, to 16.5% for Stevens, of Birmingham. Former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed got 15.9% of the likely primary vote in the poll, with the rest of the respondents split between lesser-known candidates. More than a third—37.9%—remained undecided.

The primary to determine the Democratic nominee will be held on Aug. 4 of this year. The winner is expected to face former US Rep. Mike Rogers, a White Lake Republican who lost a 2024 race for US Senate to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. No well-known Republicans have stepped up to challenge Rogers, who also has President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

“The first Emerson College survey of the race to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters finds a close battle between the top three candidates, McMorrow, Stevens and El-Sayed,” said Spencer Kimball, Emerson College Polling’s executive director.

By Abby Deatrick

Welcome to your weekly roundup of Michigan political events, protests, rallies, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide.

📅 Friday (Jan. 30)

National Shut Down: Stop Funding ICE National Shut Down — Supported by hundreds of organizations, event organizers are calling for a nationwide shutdown—no school, no work, no shopping.

Movimiento Cosecha GR: National Shutdown Rally, (Grand Rapids, 4 p.m.)

📅 Saturday (Jan. 31)

50501: ICE Out of Everywhere National Day of Action, (locations and times vary) — 50501 is calling on Americans to demand the defunding and abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and US Customs and Border Protection—and justice for Renee Nicole Good, Alex Pretti, and Geraldo Campos.

Ann Arbor ICE OUT: Ann Arbor ICE OUT Protest, (four locations in Ann Arbor, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Alpena County Democratic Party: ICE Out Now, (Alpena, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Indivisible: Rage Against the Regime Weekly Protest, (Mount Pleasant, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Indivisible: ICE Out for Good & Signs of Fascism March, (Saugatuck, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Michigan United: Think Bigger in 2026: A Vision Board and Volunteer Party, (Grand Rapids, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.) Make a vision board and learn about the ballot Initiative to get money out of politics.

📅 Tuesday (Feb. 3)

Kalamazoo Dems: Do Something! ICE Response, (Kalamazoo, 6 p.m.) Join a community conversation on rights, safety, and solidarity, featuring a panel discussion with Sheriff Rick Fuller of Kalamazoo County, Lily Eggers with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Drew Duncan, the Vice Mayor of Kalamazoo.

📅 Wednesday (Feb. 4)

Equality Michigan: Phone Bank for Equality, (Virtual, 5:30-7:30 p.m.) Receive training, then contact voters in Michigan to identify and mobilize voters in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

Michigan Education Justice Coalition: State Education Townhall, (Virtual, 7-8:30 p.m.) Hear from Attorney General Dana Nessel, parents and youth leaders, and community organizations as they give updates and discuss ways to get involved to protect student civil rights and public education.

📅 Thursday (Feb. 5)

No Kings: Eyes on ICE: Document and Record, (Virtual, 8-9 p.m.) Hear the latest updates on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities, and learn more about your rights when documenting and recording law enforcement encounters.

📣 Have an event to add? Email Abigail Deatrick, The ‘Gander’s state organizing coordinator, with details. Please send submissions at least one week before the event.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Kyle Kaminski and Abby Deatrick. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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