The Michigan Supreme Court will hear a case brought by an immigrant rights group that claims the state is overburdening its resources by denying benefits to undocumented workers injured on the job.
The case centers on whether the lawsuit filed by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) should be dismissed for missing a filing deadline, not the actual merits of the dispute over benefits.
The state argues that MIRC did not meet a rule that requires lawsuits to be filed within one year of discovering the issue. MIRC, however, contends that the state is using a technicality to avoid accountability for denying benefits to workers based on their immigration status.
MIRC argues that the deadline should reset each time a worker is wrongly denied benefits. Attorney John Philo, representing MIRC, stated that the court should not allow a time limit to prevent the state from continuing unconstitutional practices.
“There’s no way we can say the state is free to commit unconstitutional acts indefinitely without citizens being able to challenge that,” Philo said.
Spokespersons for Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Attorney General’s office did not respond to requests for comment. The state, however, argues that it is in compliance with both state and federal laws.
Philo warned that the case could have broader implications for civil rights organizations, saying it could impact their ability to protect the rights of clients.
The Michigan Supreme Court has not yet set a date for the hearing.
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