{"id":1720,"date":"2021-11-03T23:24:11","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T23:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmstand.chee.studio\/case\/workers-compensation-for-michigans-undocumented-workers\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T07:31:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T07:31:05","slug":"workers-compensation-for-michigans-undocumented-workers","status":"publish","type":"case","link":"http:\/\/farmstand.org\/es\/case\/workers-compensation-for-michigans-undocumented-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"Workers’ Compensation for Michigan’s Undocumented Workers (MIRC v. Whitmer)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone should be able to work in conditions that are dignified, fair, and healthy, and getting injured at work should never mean losing your income or ability to take care of your family.\u00a0However, for the past 17 years undocumented workers in Michigan who suffer serious workplace injuries have been unjustly denied workers\u2019 compensation wages<\/strong> while they are recovering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On behalf of the Centro de Derechos de los Inmigrantes de M\u00edchigan<\/a>, FarmSTAND (formerly the Food Project at Public Justice) and the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice<\/a> filed a lawsuit which seeks to end Michigan\u2019s practice of punishing injured undocumented workers and shielding employers and insurance companies from responsibility. The lawsuit would ensure that undocumented immigrants who are injured at work receive workers\u2019 compensation wages in Michigan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Filed in the State of Michigan Court of Claims against the Governor of Michigan, the lawsuit challenges the Michigan Court of Appeals\u2019 2003 decision in Sanchez v. Eagle Alloy, <\/em>which lets employers and insurance companies off the hook for failing to compensate undocumented workers injured on the job. The lawsuit states that Michigan\u2019s continued denial of undocumented workers\u2019 access to workers\u2019 compensation wages contravenes Michigan Supreme Court precedent and violates due process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When undocumented workers are protected, everyone benefits. Immigrants perform some of the hardest, most dangerous, and most essential work that keeps Michiganders housed and fed. Ensuring that undocumented people receive lost wages when injured at work would create more dignified, fair, and healthy workplaces for everyone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forty-three social service, religious, and labor organizations have signed a letter<\/a> to show their support for Michigan’s undocumented workers who continue to be wrongfully excluded from workers\u2019 compensation wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, the Court of Claims denied Michigan\u2019s motion for summary judgment, allowing the lawsuit to proceed. Michigan appealed that decision and on May 30, 2024, a three-judge panel of Michigan\u2019s Court of Appeals overturned the lower court\u2019s decision. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Court of Appeals panel did not rule on the merits of the state\u2019s legal obligations to undocumented workers. In an unpublished opinion, it ruled instead that MIRC\u2019s suit was not \u201ctimely\u201d because the state allegedly started violating workers\u2019 rights more than a year ago, holding that the state\u2019s persistent misconduct is what insulates it from suit. MIRC appealed this decision to the Michigan Supreme Court, which heard the case on October 8, 2025. Sadly, after argument, the Supreme Court ruled 4-3 not to issue an opinion<\/a> in the matter, leaving the lower court decision in place.  Now, it is up to the state legislature and governor to correct this injustice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Alegatos de bienhecho<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Complaint (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opinion and Order Denying Defendant’s Motion for Summary Disposition (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Alegatos de apelaci\u00f3n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Court of Appeals Decision to Reverse (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supreme Court Application for Leave to Appeal (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supreme Court Supplemental Brief Application (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MIRC Supplemental Reply Brief (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplemental Amicus Brief ACLU (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supreme Court Order (MIRC)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everyone should be able to work in conditions that are dignified, fair, and healthy, and getting injured at work should never mean losing your income or ability to take care of your family.\u00a0However, for the past 17 years undocumented workers in Michigan who suffer serious workplace injuries have been unjustly denied workers\u2019 compensation wages while they are recovering.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":1721,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"issue":[17],"class_list":["post-1720","case","type-case","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","issue-worker-justice"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWorkers' Compensation for Michigan's Undocumented Workers (MIRC v. 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