Michigan GOP Senate candidate John James accidentally sent out a mailer on Monday saying he would “defend,” rather than “defund,” sanctuary cities, according to The Detroit News.

James, whose opponent has accused him of supporting sanctuary cities, was trying to take a stand against the practice.

Cities across the U.S. have declared themselves “sanctuaries,” meaning they will not provide information about the legal status of immigrants within their jurisdictions to the federal government.

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In the mailer, James was trying to align himself with President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE, who has threatened to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.





“In an effort to spread the word, there was a mistake made in one of our most recent and most critical mailers to absentee ballot holders,” James said in a video sent to supporters. “The final approved version was supposed to say, ‘John James will stand with President Trump, secure the borders and DEFUND sanctuary cities.' ”

James expressed concern that his GOP primary opponent, Sandy Pensler, would take the typo as an opportunity to paint him as weak on immigration.

“While we have evidence and emails chains proving [what was in] the final approved version, my opponent will more than likely seize on to this typographical error,” James said, according to The Detroit News.

James's printing company, A2Z Printing, took responsibility for the error.

Trump last year signed an executive order defunding sanctuary cities but a federal court declared the order unconstitutional.

Pensler and James are fighting for the chance to take on Sen. Debbie Stabenow Deborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump rollbacks could add 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions over 15 years: analysis | Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts | Experts warn wildfire smoke could worsen COVID-19 GAO report finds brokers offered false info on coverage for pre-existing conditions Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts MORE (D-Mich.) in November's midterms, with the GOP primary set for next month.