As large-scale immigration enforcement and deportations take place nationwide, concerns over how and when this may reach Metro Detroit continue to rise, with legal organizations banding together to offer support.

“People need to realize that ICE enforcement is happening in Detroit, and it’s happening really anywhere,” Ramis Wadood, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan, said. 

Calling it a “coordinated assault on immigrant communities,” people across the country are raising concerns over a surging number of raids and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

“Just like it’s happening in LA, in Chicago, in D.C., in New York, it’s happening in Detroit as well. It may not be at the scale of what’s happening in LA or in Chicago, but it’s serious, and it’s definitely increased since the first Trump administration,” said Wadood.

Organizations like the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and the ACLU of Michigan say they are seeing the number of immigration cases climb at a rate they have never seen before, after the Trump administration called for ICE agents to arrest nearly 3,000 people per day.

“We are watching and expecting for an increase in workplace raids in Michigan; there’s no reason to believe that Michigan would be exempt from that,” said Christine Sauvé, policy, engagement and communications manager for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center.

In Detroit, MIRC says there are more than 30,000 cases pending, at all levels of status, with most facing hearings without representation.

“Each detention, each removal, has an effect on a local family. Each immigration enforcement action has a repercussion that ripples throughout the community,” said Sauvé.

With nearby cities like Chicago bracing for an increase in activity, both organizations say they are prepared to handle what comes.

“If there’s an accusation that someone’s in the country unlawfully, then they should be able to confront that accusation, either challenge it or seek other forms of relief,” said Wadood.

MIRC and the ACLU of Michigan say they are working together, alongside other community groups, to help as many people as they can, regardless of their status and what they can afford.

Most Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers expressed a lack of confidence in the department’s leadership in a recent internal poll of membership, prompting calls for the leadership to resign from Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, a Porter Township Republican who is running for governor.

In a one-question survey conducted by the Michigan State Police Troopers Association between June 2 and June 6, 98% (1,167 members) expressed no confidence in the leadership of Col. James Grady and Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe.

The union reported that approximately 75% of its more than 1,500 members responded to the survey.

“It’s time for him to go,” said Nesbitt in a one-on-one interview with Local 4 on June 9 in downtown Detroit. “It’s time for new leadership. It’s time to improve the morale of the state police. It’s time to actually get back to what they’re doing—protecting the life and property of the citizens of Michigan.”

Nesbitt went further: “When 98% of your employees say that you are doing an ineffective and poor job, something needs to change. The leadership needs to change. And if the governor’s not willing to change it, that’s why I’ve called on him to resign.”

Nesbitt also promised that, if elected governor, he would act swiftly to replace the top leadership at MSP.

“Day one,” Nesbitt said. “Somebody that can lead the police officers that actually has the backing of the blue — that professionalizes and makes sure we have the most professional state police officers in the nation.”

The MSP Command Officers Association also conducted a similar internal vote, and 90% of its members reported no confidence in the department’s current leadership.

Governor’s office, MSP push back

In response to the report, both the governor’s office and MSP defended Col. Grady’s leadership.

A spokesperson for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement, saying in part:

“Thanks to the work of Colonel Grady, Michigan has seen major drops in violent crime. He’s also had troopers’ backs by fighting for pay raises.”

The Michigan State Police issued a more detailed statement defending Grady’s tenure, citing investments in personnel, equipment, and training.

“It has been a priority for Colonel Grady to conduct in-person visits to MSP worksites to listen to member feedback. During these visits, he’s engaged in meaningful conversations, including seeking input from the membership about morale and opportunities for areas of improvement.

Under Colonel Grady’s leadership, the department has continued to invest in better training and professional development opportunities, updated equipment, and improved technology. Further, dozens of new troopers joined the ranks last month, and this year’s proposed budget includes pay raises for troopers and sergeants.”

Advertisement

Michigan State Police

The department said Col. Grady remains committed to moving the department forward and supporting the men and women of the Michigan State Police.