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Michigan governor candidates talk ICE and ways to stop the state’s academic slide

February 6, 2026

Four Michigan gubernatorial candidates—Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson, Republican Mike Cox, and Independent Mike Duggan—presented their education platforms at a forum hosted by the Michigan Education Association, the state's largest teachers union. The candidates offered contrasting visions, with Benson proposing increased teacher compensation and Swanson advocating for universal school meals and preschool, while Cox emphasized accountability measures and private school scholarships through federal tax credits. The forum also addressed immigration enforcement in schools, with candidates disagreeing on how to handle ICE presence in educational settings.

Who is affected

  • Michigan educators and teachers union members (Michigan Education Association)
  • Michigan K-12 students
  • Parents of Michigan schoolchildren
  • Immigrant families and students facing ICE enforcement actions
  • Detroit community members dealing with immigration enforcement
  • Private school families (potentially affected by proposed scholarship program)

What action is being taken

  • The Michigan Education Association is hosting a gubernatorial candidate forum
  • Candidates are answering questions submitted by MEA members
  • Detroit Police Department is not signing agreements with ICE (according to Duggan's statements about past practices)

Why it matters

  • This forum is significant because Michigan students are experiencing academic decline, with fourth graders ranking near the bottom nationally in reading proficiency. The next governor's education policies will directly impact teacher compensation, school funding, curriculum decisions, and student safety amid federal immigration enforcement. These decisions affect the state's ability to attract and retain quality educators while addressing fundamental equity and achievement issues in Michigan's education system.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com

Michigan governor candidates talk ICE and ways to stop the state’s academic slide