What a recruiting stretch this week has been for Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford.
Michigan
Does Michigan have sanctuary cities? Here’s where and what it means
White House: Migrants bused, flown north is a ‘political stunt’
GOP governors are taking credit for busing and flying migrants and asylum seekers north in order to spotlight various immigration issues.
Scott L. Hall, USA TODAY
Immigration reform and border enforcement are once again big talking points heading into the presidential election. And the debate on immigration issues isn’t a new conversation.
In the last decade, immigration has been a hot topic, but in this election cycle, Americans now believe immigration to be the most important issue facing the United States, a Gallup poll released this week revealed. In recent months, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has been vocal about the border and keeping migrants from crossing over illegally and pushed “Operation Lone Star”— a 2021 initiative by Abbott that sent the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety to the southern border to “fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border.”
The operation has also bused and flown more than 100,000 migrants from the Texas border to Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. All deemed sanctuary cities.
These larger metropolitan areas are just a handful of 100s of communities, and even some states, that have identified themselves as sanctuary areas for migrants in the United States. There are several communities in Michigan as well that have identified themselves as sanctuary areas as well.
What is a sanctuary city?
Sanctuary city is a common term now, but a sanctuary area can be classified as a city, county, or state in America that doesn’t fully comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Usually, this is done through municipal laws that protect undocumented immigrants from deportation or prosecution, despite federal immigration law.
Practices and laws that are in place allow agencies to refuse, or prohibit, compliance with ICE detainers and impose unreasonable conditions on detainer acceptance. Some also deny ICE access to interview incarcerated aliens and stop immigration enforcement from impeding communication or information exchanges between their personnel and federal immigration officers, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
Is Michigan a sanctuary state?
No, Michigan is not a sanctuary state, but it does have a city and several counties that are designated as sanctuary areas, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
What are Michigan’s sanctuary cities and counties?
- Lansing: Is the only city in Michigan that is a sanctuary city.
- Ingham County
- Kalamazoo County
- Kent County
- Wayne County
Detroit and Ann Arbor are often referred to as sanctuary cities, though they haven’t officially declared themselves as such. Detroit has multiple times proclaimed itself a “Welcoming City,” according to City Council’s Legislative Policy Division. Both cities have policies in place that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities and generally bar police from inquiring about individuals’ immigration status or engaging in profiling based on ethnicity or religion.
Migrants in Michigan
While Michigan may not be getting an influx of migrants shipped from Texas, the communities in the state are no strangers to people looking to start their lives in the U.S. here.
In 2016, Michigan was the fourth largest state for refugee resettlement, taking in more than 30,000 arrivals over the previous decade, Global Detroit reported.
Undocumented immigrants accounted for 1.2% of Michigan’s population as of 2021, per Pew Research Center analysis.
Michigan
Former border officer from Michigan sentenced for distribution of child pornography
A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer from Michigan has been sentenced for one count of distribution of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan said on Friday.
A federal judge sentenced Scott Rocky of Center Line, Michigan, on Thursday to six years in prison. Online court records show he pleaded guilty to the charge last November.
According to the criminal complaint, an FBI agent during an investigation in April 2025 used a computer to sign into a peer-to-peer file sharing network called BitTorrent. They identified another computer using a specific Internet Protocol address connected to multiple files that had keywords or hash values related to potential child pornography.
The agent was able to determine that someone using that computer shared about 530 files with “names consistent with names used for files containing child pornography,” the complaint said. Investigators allegedly learned the IP address of the computer was assigned to Rocky.
According to the court document, the agent found that many of the files appeared “to depict real minor children between the ages of four and ten years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct.”
Federal investigators then searched Rocky’s home, the complaint said. They found a desktop computer that had a file name in the German language that described sexual activity involving children.
“This sentence should serve as a warning: no badge, title, or position of public trust will shield anyone who exploits our children from facing justice under federal law,” Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said in a written statement. “Public trust amongst law enforcement officials is essential.”
Michigan
Film Study: What 2027 RB Lundon Hampton brings to Michigan Football
After snagging a commitment from four-star bell-cow Tyson Robinson this past weekend, Alford nabbed another high-profile tailback in the 2027 class, as Grand Rapids (Mich.) Kenowa Hills star Lundon Hampton announced his pledge to the Wolverines.
Hampton is the fourth in-state commit for Michigan this cycle and the 14th overall member. Michigan beat MSU, Penn State and Iowa for Hampton, who visited Ann Arbor twice this spring, including for the spring game at The Big House. He was offered while on his March trip, and Alford saw Hampton workout during the contact period.
At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Hampton is the No. 24 overall athlete in the country and No. 19 recruit in the state of Michigan, according to Rivals.
Maize n Brew breaks down film from Hampton junior campaign, providing an in-depth look at the potential he brings to the table.
Since the beginning of last month, Maize n Brew has seen Hampton twice. First was in Nashville for Battle 7v7 and later for the spring game. Hampton didn’t compete down south, but both instances provided an opportunity to examine his physical build.
Hampton is every inch and weight that Rivals reports right now. He’s filled out and how he compares to his peers physically is noteworthy, especially those at the positions he plays at the prep level. When examining his Hudl film, athleticism aside, Hampton stands out significantly. The sky is the limit for his body development once he enters Michigan’s strength and conditioning program.
Alford recruited Hampton as a running back because of his ability to evade tacklers in the open field and his explosiveness. On film, arm tackle attempts and dives to Hampton’s lower half never delay his forward progressions when the ball is in his hands. He can break runs to the outside, take proper angles, and has the speed to kick it into another gear to outrun defensive backs.
The way Hampton makes cuts through holes between the hashmarks is also noticeable. It’s similar to the prowess of Robinson, so it’s not difficult to pinpoint why Alford wanted the pair. Although Hampton doesn’t have as many route running and pass catching highlights as Robinson, the former can become a target and make an impact in that aspect.
Hampton also brings a versatility trait that could get molded well under the guidance of Michigan’s staff, meaning he may not remain at running back in college. Other top programs were eyeing him to play linebacker, cornerback and safety, and his junior tape shows multiple clips of him contributing at all three positions. He also came down to the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher.
His instincts on defense allow him get off the block and record tackles for a loss. While defending the pass, he sticks to the hip of opposing wideouts to breakup balls in the air or record interceptions. Hampton plays on special teams as well for his high school, serving as punt returner.
He does not have verified times reported in the 40-yard or 100-meter dash, so determining that benchmark and where development could transpire to improve that area will be something to monitor. Also, if he commits to running back only, how will he separate himself from the other rostered players? He’ll bring a heated work ethic because of the opportunity to play for the in-state school, which should elevate progress down the road.
Michigan
Harmful microplastics were found in Lake Michigan and the Chicago River
A new study on water pollution in Illinois may make you think twice before jumping into the lake this summer.
According to the Environment Illinois Research & Education Center, the recent study found microplastics across all 31 tested sites, including Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. These tiny pieces of litter may pose a potential health risk to humans and marine life, but what does that really mean for Chicagoans?
What actually are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters. Studies on the possible links to illnesses, such as cancer, are being conducted by the government and academic researchers.
What did this study find in Lake Michigan and the Chicago River?
The study found microplastics, microfibers, microfilms and microfragments across the tested sites. These tiny, sometimes invisible to the naked eye, pieces of litter come from single-use plastics, fast-fashion production and stormwater runoff from nearby factories that use plastic pellets (also found in the waters).
RECOMMENDED: The historic Chicago River Swim is coming back in September
Should I worry?
Not immediately. The presence of plastics and other forms of litter are so widespread that there’s no simple fix. Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would require plastics manufacturers to better control runoff stormwater around their factories. The state also introduced a law in 2023 that bans Styrofoam food containers at state buildings.
Can I still go in the water?
Yes. Minimizing your contact with the water can, of course, limit the risk of any negative effects, but this study is not a reason to avoid the water completely. That being said, it’s probably wise to avoid submerging yourself in the Chicago River (after all, we all remember the Dave Matthews Band incident of 2004, right?). However, the Chicago River Swim returned last year after nearly a century, which confirms that the water is, technically, safe enough to swim in.
Now what?
There are a few ways residents can help keep the waters clean. The Environment Illinois Research & Education Center recommends avoiding single-use plastics and fast-fashion trends, and reusing items when possible. The organization has also recommended that the state develop green infrastructure, pass additional producer responsibility laws and halt policies that promote increased manufacture and use of single-use plastics.
Despite these findings, it’s still safe to enjoy a dip in the lake. What’s better than jumping off the concrete beach on a scorching summer day? Just be sure to pick up your trash before you leave.
-
Lifestyle15 minutes agoRomanian director Cristian Mungiu’s ‘Fjord’ wins top prize at Cannes
-
Technology27 minutes agoRecord Club is trying to be Letterboxd for music nerds
-
World33 minutes agoUS embassy in Ukraine warns of ‘potentially significant air attack’ that could happen in next 24 hours
-
Politics39 minutes agoAOC tells New Yorkers to ‘pull up’ to Alabama during rally speech behind bulletproof glass
-
Health45 minutes agoDiet change tied to ‘younger’ biological age in older adults after 4 weeks
-
Sports51 minutes agoKnicks take commanding 3-0 lead over Cavaliers in Eastern Conference Finals
-
Technology57 minutes agoYou have a credit freeze; it still isn’t enough
-
Business1 hour agoWhat we know about GKN Aerospace, the firm at center of O.C. chemical leak