Swing state Dems demand DHS halt ICE detention center

Five Michigan Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Haley Stevens, sent a letter Thursday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin opposing a planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Romulus, Michigan.

The bipartisan opposition includes Stevens, Debbie Dingell, Hillary Scholten, Kristen McDonald Rivet, and Shri Thanedar, joining Rep. Rashida Tlaib's efforts against the facility.

The letter challenges ICE's claim that community impact studies and due diligence were completed before purchase, noting that local officials were never consulted, reports Michigan Advance. It also lists environmental concerns, including floodplain and wetlands regulations.

The opposition is bolstered by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the City of Romulus, filing federal lawsuits to stop development.

Representatives cited conditions at Michigan's existing North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, where detainee Nenko Gantchev died in December 2025, and ongoing hunger strikes and documented conditions for detainees. U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters received no response to their February letter raising similar concerns.

Watch the video below.

Your browser does not support the video tag.