{"id":73251,"date":"2026-02-27T17:00:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T22:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?p=73251"},"modified":"2026-02-27T17:17:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T22:17:22","slug":"can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Michigan block new ICE facilities? How officials are fighting back"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Romulus and ICE office space in Southfield have sparked protests&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proposed facilities are part of a national wave of federal agencies buying or leasing warehouses for immigration enforcement<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Local and state officials say they\u2019re exploring all the legal options they have to prevent ICE from setting up shop near Detroit<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>ROMULUS \u2014 Local, state and federal officials from Michigan say they are exploring &#8220;all options&#8221; to try to block the opening of a new immigrant detention center in metro Detroit, but new federal records suggest the Trump administration is preparing to move forward anyway.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/notice-activity-100-year-floodplain\">federal regulatory assessment<\/a> notice first identified this week on a government website shows the Department of Homeland Security plans to retrofit a 473,158\u2011square\u2011foot warehouse and establish a \u201csecure operational area\u201d on about 19 acres in Romulus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The plans call for 3,800 linear feet of new perimeter security fencing and wastewater upgrades, among other things, but the records indicate the project could require state and local coordination or permits that some officials have already identified as a potential way to block the project.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Friday, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/ag\/-\/media\/Project\/Websites\/AG\/releases\/2026\/February\/AG-Ltr-re-ICE-Floodplain-Notice-Feb-2026-signed.pdf\">demanding they halt the project<\/a>, arguing that the proposed activity ignores the state\u2019s sovereign interests as well as federal and state law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur system of government and the law demand transparency and partnership with state and local governments,\u201d Nessel wrote in the letter. \u201cBut ICE seems determined not just to ignore the need for such cooperation, but to frustrate it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/nessel-asks-residents-to-report-concerning-ice-actions-in-michigan\/\"><strong>Nessel asks residents to report \u2018concerning\u2019 ICE actions<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/ice-in-michigan-more-arrests-detainees-and-protests\/\"><strong>ICE in Michigan: More arrests, detainees and protests<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/ice-denies-targeting-schools-bus-stops-amid-tense-michigan-debate\/\"><strong>ICE denies targeting schools as lawmakers eye restrictions<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Local officials say they have been kept in the dark about the project, but in a heated city council meeting on Monday, Mayor Robert McCraight said Romulus will not issue a permit or certificate of occupancy for the facility while he remains in office.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" data-attachment-id=\"73254\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back\/attachment\/rallyagainsticecenterromulus-9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Brayan Gutierrez&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Hundreds of demonstrators hold signs outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, during a rally opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1771889971&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Brayan Gutierrez&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Hundreds of demonstrators hold signs outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, during a rally opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Hundreds of demonstrators hold signs outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, during a rally opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"People holding anti-ICE signs. \" class=\"wp-image-73254\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C480&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C960&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C750&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1250&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C488&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C250&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-9-1024x640.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hundreds of demonstrators hold signs outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, during a rally opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The city, he subsequently told residents, &#8220;cannot sustain the impact to our residents, our public safety departments nor the economic impact to our community and the region should DHS open such a facility in an already overburdened and underserved city.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Permitting is just one potential avenue officials are exploring as they try to fight to block the facility. Michigan Democrats in the US House and Senate are urging the Trump administration to back off the plans, and Nessel has not ruled out additional legal action.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur No. 1 goal is to find any avenue to slow this down or stop it,\u201d state Sen. Darrin Camilleri, D-Trenton, told Bridge, adding that Romulus city ordinances and zoning don\u2019t currently allow that type of use for the building in question.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m working hand in hand with my mayor and my city council to do everything that we can to oppose this project.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their options could be limited, however.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A spokesperson for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Bridge Michigan the agency already purchased the Romulus facility and promised a community impact study and due diligence process \u201cto make sure there is no hardship on local utilities or infrastructure.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The spokesperson estimated the Romulus facility, located near the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and its construction would bring 1,458 jobs to the area and more than $33 million in tax revenue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cThese economic benefits don\u2019t even take into account that removing criminals from the streets makes communities safer for business owners and customers,\u201d the spokesperson said in an email to Bridge Michigan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A national push<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A similar debate is playing out in Southfield, where the city recently confirmed that the federal government signed a lease with One Towne Square for ICE office space. Officials there are attempting to ramp up pressure on the property owner to sever ties with ICE.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ICE already operates the Midwest\u2019s largest immigrant detention center in Michigan. The Baldwin facility, which as of January housed a daily average of 1,391 detainees, has been owned by a private prison company since 2009, so there was little state or local officials could do to stop it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But as President Donald Trump continues to ramp up controversial mass deportation efforts, ICE has reportedly acquired warehouses to potentially convert into detention centers in <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/immigration-detention-centers-pushback-24e702da67281a672b0f77287aaa87ba\">at least 20 communities<\/a> across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" data-attachment-id=\"73255\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back\/attachment\/rallyagainsticecenterromulus-17\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Brayan Gutierrez&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;State Rep. Donovan McKinney speaks during a rally outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1771892311&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Brayan Gutierrez&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;State Rep. Donovan McKinney speaks during a rally outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;State Rep. Donovan McKinney speaks during a rally outside Romulus City Hall opposing a proposed ICE detention facility in Romulus. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"State Rep. Donovan McKinney holds a megaphone. People are behind him. \" class=\"wp-image-73255\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/2;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C480&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C960&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1280&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C750&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1250&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C488&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C250&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-17-1024x640.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">State Rep. Donovan McKinney speaks during a rally outside Romulus City Hall opposing a proposed ICE detention facility in Romulus. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The process has been marked by secrecy, frustrating local officials who are accustomed to the federal government coordinating and consulting with communities when choosing locations for prisons or detention centers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like in Romulus, officials in Texas, Pennsylvania and other states told the Associated Press that they were in the dark about the federal government\u2019s plans for their communities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/ice-expansion-across-us-at-heres-where-its-going-next\/?utm_source=nl&amp;utm_brand=wired&amp;utm_mailing=WIR_Daily_Alert_021026&amp;utm_campaign=aud-dev&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=WIR_Daily_Alert_021026&amp;bxid=6875259da35c3d4ec90b4c7e&amp;cndid=89495444&amp;hasha=ad53ef5dabaf7d79189c170051ee71c0&amp;hashb=695ad46e9d3d137052207ddd899f24d4a25bd15f&amp;hashc=7b7c7c8cff96b5c24574dcb4bf949aff249f45f1871c9b5f92b1b7d7a7a40d7a&amp;utm_term=WIR_Daily_Active\">A separate review of federal records<\/a> by the news outlet WIRED indicates at least 150 purchases or leases for ICE agents and attorneys are planned nationwide, many of which have eschewed typical government procurement procedures due to \u201cnational security concerns.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Details of the Michigan plans remain murky \u2014 Camilleri, the state senator, said he feels like he\u2019s \u201cacting like a detective\u201d as he digs for more information \u2014 but the federal floodplain review <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/local\/detroit\/2026\/02\/26\/romulus-ice-detention-facility-federal-document\">first reported by Axios Detroit<\/a> shows the agency is planning to reopen 7525 Cogswell St.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/notice-activity-100-year-floodplain?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_detroit&amp;stream=top\">The document<\/a> confirms the Romulus facility would operate as a detention processing center. The agency\u2019s proposal involves installing new security fencing, security checkpoints, cameras, lighting and outdoor recreation courts to the existing warehouse facility.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nessel \u2014 the Democratic attorney general who earlier this month <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/pages\/responsepage.aspx?id=h3D71Xc3rUKWaoku9HIl0aT5LK3Ha1FDlTudN3NXtARUNFNCMFJUVEFHTEk5SDhYWDIzNlJFTUhGNSQlQCN0PWcu&amp;route=shorturl\">launched a public form<\/a> to encourage residents to report \u201cconcerning behavior\u201d by ICE \u2014 called the secrecy surrounding the property acquisition \u201ctroubling\u201d in a statement to Bridge, leaving open the possibility of her office getting involved further.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In her Friday letter to ICE, Nessel said the warehouse isn\u2019t currently designed to house, feed, bathe, protect or care for detainees. She argued the agency\u2019s floodplain notice lacked the details necessary to assess whether the project complies with federal environmental laws, noting ICE had not applied for or started discussions for state permitting, either.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nessel also cited its proximity to local schools \u2014 Romulus Middle School and Wick Elementary School are each less than two miles from the facility \u2014 and what she called a protected wetland. \u201cWhat\u2019s more, ICE purchased the warehouse before any attempt to communicate with the State of Michigan, its agencies, or any local governing body about it,\u201d she wrote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some Michigan Republicans have argued locals should step aside and allow the plan to proceed, noting it could bring new jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFolks in Romulus need jobs and their kids need education, but the city council\u2019s top priority is to appease some washed out white progressives and pretend they can stop the ICE facility,\u201d Mike Cox, the former attorney general and current candidate for governor, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Mike_Cox\/status\/2026348190782357775\">posted on social media<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Protests and a punch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hundreds of people turned out for an anti-ICE rally outside Romulus City Hall Monday, where an altercation between anti-ICE protesters and counterprotesters ended in a punch being thrown and a demonstrator landing on the ground before he was escorted from the scene by police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several attendees who spoke with Bridge said they hoped community activism and local government resistance would ultimately mean something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe fact that it&#8217;s even on the docket or being considered and not immediately dismissed\u2026it&#8217;s disheartening,\u201d Lindsay Duke, an Ann Arbor resident who attended the rally, said of the proposed facility. \u201cThere has to be accountability for it. We have checks and balances in place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-attachment-id=\"73258\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back\/attachment\/rallyagainsticecenterromulus-8-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Brayan Gutierrez&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Police assist a counterprotester outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, after an altercation during a rally opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1771889835&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Brayan Gutierrez&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Police assist a counterprotester outside Romulus City Hall in Romulus, Michigan, on Feb. 23, 2026, after an altercation during a rally opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Someone on the ground. Police are helping him up.\" class=\"wp-image-73258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-8-1-1024x683.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Police help a counterprotester outside Romulus City Hall after an altercation during a rally opposing a proposed ICE detention facility. (Brayan Gutierrez for Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>State Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, said she understands that people are upset with how ICE has handled certain situations but argued the country needs the border security that the federal agency provides.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe ICE agents are doing their job \u2014 we do need to let them do their job, and those who don&#8217;t do their job properly need to be held accountable,\u201d she said. \u201cIf we have a crime problem with illegals committing crime, obviously ICE needs a bigger presence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the protest, city council members unanimously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.romulusgov.com\/m\/NewsFlash\/Home\/Detail\/354\">approved a resolution<\/a> opposing the facility, arguing the presence of a detention center might \u201cdepress property values, deter business investment and impose long-term negative impacts inconsistent with the city\u2019s development goals and land-use planning strategies.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the same night, Southfield officials<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofsouthfield.com\/news\/city-southfield-statement-and-resolution-affirming-community-safety-civil-rights-and-local\"> passed a resolution<\/a> reiterating its commitment to a \u201cwelcoming and inclusive community\u201d where police don\u2019t participate in immigration status investigations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe cannot ignore federal law, but we can and will determine how the City of Southfield engages within that framework, guided by our responsibility to protect the safety and trust of our community,\u201d the city said in a statement announcing the resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Southfield property owner, REDICO, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/local\/michigan\/oakland\/2026\/02\/14\/ice-office-southfield-concern-advocates-democrats\/88668988007\/\">has said<\/a> the lease was struck with the US General Services Administration and \u201cexplicitly prohibits any law enforcement, detention or similar activities to take place on the premises.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sen. Jeremy Moss, a Southfield Democrat, said the federal government and its business partners shouldn\u2019t discount the power of citizen protests, which he predicted would continue for as long as the partnership does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur community is going to come out and protest probably every week,\u201d he said. \u201cThe building owner has to be a good neighbor, too, and if not, they&#8217;re going to find that people in our community are going to hold them to account.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moss and other Democratic lawmakers are also pursuing limits on ICE at the state level, including a ban on ICE agents wearing masks, immigration enforcement raids in sensitive areas like schools and churches and protecting private data from being misused by federal agencies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those proposals will likely have a tough time getting through the Republican-led House, where Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has expressed support for Trump and his crackdown on illegal immigration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s happening in other states<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not just Democratic-led states or communities questioning ICE warehouse plans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In New Hampshire, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced this week that, after what she called &#8220;productive discussions&#8221; with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the Trump administration is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedartmouth.com\/article\/2026\/02\/plans-for-ice-facility-in-merrimack-cancelled-ayotte-says\">calling off plans<\/a> for an ICE detention facility in the town of Merrimack.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like Romulus, some other local governments have also explored permitting denials as a potential mechanism to block ICE expansion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Greensboro, North Carolina, for instance, city staff recently said a planned ICE facility would require rezoning, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theassemblync.com\/news\/politics\/immigration\/greensboro-ice-detention-hebrew-academy\/\">could take months<\/a> and require approval by city council, where at least one member has said she would not support any change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, the federal government may be able to use its legal authority to preempt state and local land-use and occupancy rules in some cases, according to experts at the Urban Institute, a nonprofit think tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Warehouses aren\u2019t generally designed for continuous occupancy by people, and their use in this manner could both strain local infrastructure and result in unsafe, unhealthy conditions for detainees,&#8221; the researchers wrote in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban.org\/urban-wire\/what-happens-when-ice-detention-facilities-conflict-land-use-rules-designed-promote\">a recent report<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Though the federal government may be able to supersede some local zoning laws, some local governments are exploring other avenues through which they can influence ICE\u2019s impact on people and their communities.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>US Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, said in a recent press call that Michigan needs to use every tool at its disposal to keep the ICE deals from happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe will not accept a new warehouse prison in Romulus to cage hundreds of our neighbors,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Romulus and Southfield, local and state officials are battling a proposed ICE detention center and office space. They face an uphill fight. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":559,"featured_media":73253,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-02-27T22:00:57Z","apple_news_api_id":"08d4477a-01b2-4446-9ef4-569b128dfda5","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-02-27T22:17:27Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/ACNRHegGyREae9FabEo39pQ","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[2445],"tags":[1439,4328],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[2460],"class_list":["post-73251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-michigan-government","tag-michigan-attorney-general","tag-top-of-homepage","entry"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can Michigan block new ICE facilities? 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They face an uphill fight.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-27T22:00:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-27T22:17:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RallyAgainstIceCenterROMULUS-11.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lauren Gibbons\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lauren Gibbons\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/can-michigan-block-new-ice-facilities-how-officials-are-fighting-back\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Lauren Gibbons\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/c986ab761c39e44221006dbef7fac98a\"},\"headline\":\"Can Michigan block new ICE facilities? 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Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. Reach her at lgibbons@bridgemi.com or on Twitter @LaurenMGibbons\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/author\/lauren-gibbons\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Can Michigan block new ICE facilities? 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Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. 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With an 1,800 bed capacity, it could become one of the largest in the country. Supporters see an economic boon, while detractors fear the isolation and conditions for detainees.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Government&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Government","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-government\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A sign for the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Michigan.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Norman-Baldwin-ICE-33.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Norman-Baldwin-ICE-33.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Norman-Baldwin-ICE-33.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Norman-Baldwin-ICE-33.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Norman-Baldwin-ICE-33.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":71954,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/ice-in-michigan-more-arrests-detainees-and-protests\/","url_meta":{"origin":73251,"position":1},"title":"ICE in Michigan: More arrests, detainees and protests","author":"Lauren Gibbons","date":"January 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Amid national debate over deportation tactics, here\u2019s what to know about ICE and Border Patrol enforcement in Michigan.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Government&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Government","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-government\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"People marching in Detroit, holding anti-ICE signs.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202601113-ice-detroit-malachi-barrett.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202601113-ice-detroit-malachi-barrett.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202601113-ice-detroit-malachi-barrett.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202601113-ice-detroit-malachi-barrett.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/202601113-ice-detroit-malachi-barrett.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":72328,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/nessel-asks-residents-to-report-concerning-ice-actions-in-michigan\/","url_meta":{"origin":73251,"position":2},"title":"Dana Nessel asks residents to report \u2018concerning\u2019 ICE actions in Michigan","author":"Lauren Gibbons","date":"February 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Attorney General Dana Nessel unveils 'immigration action reporting form\u2019 to collect eyewitness accounts of ICE in Michigan. Critics worry the effort could make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Government&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Government","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-government\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dana Nessel ICE forum","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260204-nessel-ice-tracker-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260204-nessel-ice-tracker-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260204-nessel-ice-tracker-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260204-nessel-ice-tracker-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260204-nessel-ice-tracker-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":70118,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/michigan-supreme-court-eyes-limits-on-courthouse-immigration-arrests\/","url_meta":{"origin":73251,"position":3},"title":"Michigan Supreme Court eyes limits on courthouse immigration arrests","author":"Lauren Gibbons","date":"December 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Proposed rule would bar immigration arrests at state or local courts as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Government&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Government","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-government\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michigan Hall of Justice","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Michigan-Sumpreme-Court-Shutterstock.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Michigan-Sumpreme-Court-Shutterstock.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Michigan-Sumpreme-Court-Shutterstock.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Michigan-Sumpreme-Court-Shutterstock.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Michigan-Sumpreme-Court-Shutterstock.webp?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":70168,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/michigan-hmong-refugee-released-from-ice-custody-just-glad-to-be-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":73251,"position":4},"title":"Michigan Hmong refugee released from ICE custody: \u2018Just glad to be home\u2019","author":"Lauren Gibbons","date":"December 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Lue Yang, a St. Johns resident and Hmong refugee who had been in federal immigration detention since July, was released to his family Wednesday after intervention from state and federal lawmakers. 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