How Michigan’s federal actions tracker protects state rights today
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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Michigan recently took a bold step to keep its citizens informed. The Department of Attorney General released a status report using its new Federal Actions Tracker. This tool provides real-time updates on dozens of lawsuits against federal policies. Currently, President Donald Trump leads the federal administration. These lawsuits cover many topics. They range from birthright citizenship to school funding and emergency services. The tracker shows how the state acts as a shield. It protects the rights and services that Michiganders rely on every day (michigan.gov).
This legal pushback is part of a larger story. It is a story about how states use their power to check the federal government. This struggle has deep roots in American history. It often focuses on the balance of power sharing between governments. For the Black community, this balance is vital. History shows that federal power can both protect and harm civil rights. Michigan is currently using the courts to ensure the federal government follows the law. This effort aims to prevent sudden changes that could hurt vulnerable residents (michiganindependent.com, michigan.gov).
Michigan Financial Impact (2025)
Funds Recouped vs. Funds at Risk (In Millions)
Source: Michigan Dept. of Attorney General Status Report
The Evolution of the People’s Lawyer
The role of the Michigan Attorney General has changed over time. It used to be a simple administrative job. Now, it is a major line of defense for constitutional boundaries. Frank Kelley was a key figure in this change. He served as the Attorney General for 37 years. People called him the “Eternal General.” Kelley believed the office should be the “people’s lawyer.” He was the first in the country to create special units for the environment and consumer protection (michbar.org, legalnews.com).
Kelley also had a strong connection to the Civil Rights Movement. He started his work in the 1960s. During this time, he hired many Black and female attorneys. He fought against racist housing rules that kept neighborhoods segregated. Kelley once prosecuted a gang for killing a Black man named Grady Little. He wanted to show that the law served everyone regardless of race. This history of protecting marginalized people continues today. The current administration follows this “people’s lawyer” philosophy to challenge federal overreach (michbar.org).
In the late 1990s, state attorneys general found a new way to work together. They sued major tobacco companies. This was called the Tobacco Master Settlement. It proved that states could force large changes that the federal government ignored. Since then, Michigan has used this strategy often. During the 2010s, Republican AG Bill Schuette sued the Obama administration. He argued that federal rules on health care and the environment were too broad. Now, Democratic AG Dana Nessel uses the same tools. She challenges policies on immigration and civil rights (legalnews.com, michigan.gov).
The 14th Amendment as a Legal Foundation
Many of Michigan’s current lawsuits rely on the 14th Amendment. This amendment was ratified in 1868. It was a response to the “Black Codes” in the South. These codes tried to keep formerly enslaved people from having real freedom. The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born in the United States. It also promised equal protection under the law. This amendment is the bedrock of modern civil rights. It prevents states and the federal government from taking away basic liberties (wikipedia.org, msu.edu).
Today, this amendment is under fire. President Trump has questioned birthright citizenship. He suggested ending it through an executive order. Michigan is leading a group of 18 states to fight this. They argue that the president cannot change the Constitution alone. In Michigan, about 6,000 newborns could be affected every year. Nationwide, the number is 150,000. For many, this is not just a legal debate. It is a threat to the challenges faced by Black families from places like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Haiti (michiganindependent.com, michigan.gov).
If birthright citizenship ends, these children could become “stateless.” They would not have Social Security numbers. They would not be able to work legally. They would also lose access to health benefits. Advocacy groups say this creates a “chilling effect.” Families might be too afraid to seek medical care for their babies. Michigan argues that this policy would also hurt state funding. The state would lose federal money for healthcare and schools if these residents are not counted as citizens (michigan.gov).
The Administrative Procedure Act as a Shield
The Administrative Procedure Act, or APA, is another vital tool for Michigan. This law was passed in 1946. It sets the rules for how federal agencies make and change policies. Agencies cannot just change rules on a whim. They must give public notice. They must also allow people to comment on the changes. The APA stops the executive branch from making “arbitrary and capricious” decisions. This means the government must have a good reason for its actions (michigan.gov).
Michigan uses the APA to protect social programs. Recently, the federal government tried to freeze SNAP benefits. They also tried to cut Social Security services. Michigan sued to stop these pauses. The state argued that the federal government did not follow the proper steps. These programs are lifelines for many. In Michigan, 1.4 million people use SNAP. Black residents are more likely to need these benefits. While African Americans are 15 percent of the state population, they are 25 percent of SNAP recipients (michiganindependent.com, michigan.gov).
The APA also protects against sudden cuts to civil rights enforcement. The federal government has reduced the staff at the Office for Civil Rights. This has led to a massive backlog of cases. In Michigan, there are 782 open cases. Many of these involve race-based discrimination and disability rights. Without enough staff, these cases sit for months or years. Michigan is suing to force the federal government to fix this. They argue that cutting staff without a plan violates the APA (michigan.gov).
Civil Rights Backlog Breakdown
Total Cases: 782 | Source: Michigan Dept. of Civil Rights Data
Defending Education Funding in Urban Districts
Education is a major battleground in the legal fight. Michigan joined over 20 states to sue the federal government over frozen education grants. These grants totaled $6.8 billion nationwide. For Michigan, $171 million was at risk. This money supports mental health services and programs for low-income students. These are known as Title I funds. They are meant for students who are “furthest from opportunity” (michiganindependent.com, michigan.gov).
This freeze hit majority-Black districts like Detroit and Flint the hardest. The Detroit Public Schools Community District is the largest in the state. It is the 7th most at-risk district in the country for losing federal money. Detroit faces a potential loss of $16 million. This is about 32 percent of its operating budget. These funds pay for reading specialists and lunch programs. Losing this money would be a disaster for students already facing many hurdles (michiganindependent.com).
State Superintendent Michael Rice has been very vocal about this. He stated that withholding these funds hurts the most disadvantaged children. Michigan’s lawsuits have already seen some success. In June 2025, a court ordered the federal government to release mental health grants. This allowed schools to keep their counselors. This legal action is a form of economic justice for workers and families in the school system (michigan.gov).
Public Safety and the Sanctuary Debate
The legal pushback also touches on public safety. The federal government has tried to add “unlawful conditions” to FEMA grants. These grants help the Michigan State Police with disaster relief. They also fund active shooter training for local police. The federal government wanted to force local police to help with immigration enforcement. If cities did not comply, the government threatened to withhold the money (michigan.gov).
Michigan sued and secured a court injunction. This stops the federal government from adding these rules for now. Many cities have “sanctuary” policies. These policies keep local police separate from federal immigration duties. The goal is to build community trust. If residents fear deportation, they might not report crimes. This makes everyone less safe. Research shows that sanctuary cities often have lower crime rates because people are more willing to talk to the police (michigan.gov).
For Black immigrants, this is especially important. Black immigrants are arrested at higher rates than white counterparts. A routine traffic stop can quickly lead to deportation. This creates a “pathway” from local policing to federal removal. By blocking these grant conditions, Michigan protects the trust between the police and the people. It ensures that local resources are used for local safety. This prevents the federal government from coercing state and local leaders (michigan.gov).
Restoring Research and Science Funding
The tracker also shows how Michigan protects scientific progress. Federal funding for university research was another target for cuts. Michigan universities lost millions in grants for critical work. This included research on cancer and Great Lakes ecology. Specifically, $226 million was restored through legal action. This money supports high-tech jobs and medical breakthroughs in the state (michigan.gov).
Protecting research is an economic necessity. These grants fund laboratories and pay researchers. When federal money stops, projects are abandoned. This can set back medical treatments by years. For example, research on sea lampreys in the Great Lakes is vital for the fishing industry. Without this research, the state’s natural resources and economy suffer. The Attorney General argues that the executive branch cannot cancel funds that Congress already approved (michigan.gov).
The cost of this litigation is relatively low. The Attorney General’s office uses existing staff for these cases. The estimated cost is between $8,000 and $10,000 per case. However, the return on investment is massive. Michigan has recouped over $750 million so far in 2025. This money covers the cost of counselors, police training, and medical research. It is a strategic use of state resources to protect the state budget (michigan.gov).
ACTIVE FEDERAL CHALLENGES
Lawsuits Tracked in 2025
Defending Michigan’s Rights and Services
Fragmented Federalism and the Future
The situation in Michigan represents a shift in American politics. Experts call it “fragmented federalism.” In this system, state leaders act as a rival power to the federal executive. When the federal government changes direction quickly, states provide stability. This is not just about politics. It is about protecting the specific interests of a region. For Michigan, that means protecting the Great Lakes and the automotive industry (michigan.gov).
Critics sometimes call this “politicization.” They argue that state attorneys general should focus on local crime. However, the history of the office shows a different trend. For decades, the AG has been a “national check.” This is now the standard way for states to defend their residents. This trend has seen a shift in political narratives over several decades (legalnews.com, michigan.gov).
The Federal Actions Tracker is a new way to handle this reality. It provides transparency to the public. It shows exactly how state money and legal talent are being used. For the Black community in Michigan, this tracker is a vital tool. It helps people see how the state is defending their rights. Whether it is birthright citizenship or school funding, these legal battles shape the future. Michigan’s “legal shield” is currently more active than ever (michigan.gov).
About the Author
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching for over 20 years. He is the founder of African Elements, a media platform dedicated to providing educational resources on the history and culture of the African diaspora. Through his work, Spearman aims to empower and educate by bringing historical context to contemporary issues affecting the Black community.
