As President Donald Trump intensifies immigration enforcement, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan firmly stated that his city would continue collaborating with federal agencies, a stance consistent with its approach under previous presidential administrations. Duggan's comments came during a policy conference hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber, where he took the opportunity to clarify Detroit's position on immigration.
At the heart of his remarks, Duggan emphasized that while Detroit is not a "sanctuary city," it is, in fact, a "welcoming city." He stated, "If you are in this country illegally, we should not be shielding you from ICE and federal enforcement, and the city of Detroit does not." His position reflects the ongoing debate over what constitutes a "sanctuary city." The term, often misused or misunderstood, typically refers to cities or jurisdictions that place limitations on cooperation with federal immigration authorities, especially in matters of deportation. While Duggan's stance makes it clear that Detroit does not fit this description, he also highlighted that the city remains open and supportive to those who arrive legally.
Duggan, who has Irish ancestry, shared his personal perspective on immigration, reflecting on his grandparents' journey to the United States. "We are a welcoming city," he stated. "A welcoming city means if you are in this country lawfully as an immigrant, we encourage you to come here. We support your success." He added that his family's immigrant experience shaped his view that lawful immigration should be embraced and celebrated. This sentiment echoes a broader narrative of Detroit’s immigrant history and the positive impact immigrants have had on the city's growth and vitality.
Interestingly, despite Duggan's support for legal immigration, Detroit has one of the lowest percentages of immigrant residents among major U.S. cities. At only about 6%, the city's immigrant population is significantly lower than the national average. This demographic reality presents a challenge for local advocates, who argue that boosting immigration could help Detroit’s economy and drive population growth in the region.
Mayor Duggan's comments came in the wake of President Trump's executive orders aimed at curbing immigration, including the controversial proposal to end birthright citizenship. This move has already sparked a legal battle, with the ACLU filing a lawsuit and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel voicing her opposition. The growing tensions surrounding immigration policy have had a noticeable effect on immigrant communities, particularly in areas like southwest Detroit, which has a higher concentration of immigrant residents.
Social media has been buzzing with reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detaining individuals in southwest Detroit. A widely circulated video, posted by an Instagram account with nearly 700,000 followers, showed Border Patrol agents reportedly arresting immigrants in the area. However, the specifics of the video, including whether it was part of a routine operation or a larger immigration enforcement effort, remain unclear.
Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who represents the district, expressed concerns about the impact of such enforcement actions on immigrant communities. She noted that many constituents have been reporting ICE activity, creating fear and uncertainty among residents. Whether these arrests are part of the broader political push by the Trump administration to deport millions, or simply routine operations, remains a key question for many.
It’s important to note that immigration enforcement activities, such as those conducted by ICE and CBP, have occurred under every president in recent memory, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden. During Obama’s presidency, deportations reached a peak, with nearly 2.9 million deportations in his first term alone. While deportations have been lower during the Trump administration, the issue remains a contentious one. Under Biden, deportations have continued, albeit at a slightly lower rate, and immigration arrests in Michigan and Ohio have decreased in the early years of his presidency.
In Detroit, fears of deportation have been a constant over the past two decades, regardless of the administration in power. Duggan pointed out that ICE operations have been ongoing, even under the Biden administration, and argued that the presence of ICE in Detroit is not a new development. "ICE has been in neighborhoods under the Biden administration," Duggan said. "ICE was arresting illegal immigrants who committed crimes and deported. So the fact that they're present is not new."
The Detroit Police Department echoed Duggan’s position in a statement, clarifying that Detroit is not a sanctuary city. While the city's police department does not cooperate with federal immigration agencies in enforcing immigration laws, it also emphasized that immigration enforcement is not the focus of their work. "In Sanctuary Cities, the local police department refuses to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or other federal agencies in enforcing federal immigration law," the Detroit Police Department stated. "Detroit is not a Sanctuary City."
The department further elaborated that its policy prioritizes public safety over immigration enforcement. "Enforcing federal law, including immigration law, is not the job of a municipal police agency," the statement read. "When interacting with the public, Detroit police officers do not inquire about an individual’s immigration status. DPD’s long-standing and well-publicized policy that crime victims and witnesses will not be asked about their immigration status in police interviews has been a major factor in building cooperation for crime reduction in Detroit."
Despite these assurances, Duggan reaffirmed the city’s ongoing cooperation with ICE in certain cases. "Under Biden, probably once a week, ICE would come over and pick somebody up," Duggan recalled. "We have always cooperated with ICE." However, concerns have been raised about the potential for ICE to pick up detainees without following the necessary legal procedures, leading to questions about the agency’s compliance with constitutional requirements. The Detroit Police Department has made it clear that for ICE to take custody of detainees, there must be a "properly executed detainer," and the transfer must be done within the constitutional time limits.
The tension surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in Detroit is part of a larger, national conversation about how cities should navigate the complexities of federal immigration law. While some cities, like Detroit, continue to cooperate with federal authorities, they also face growing challenges in balancing law enforcement with the need to maintain public trust within immigrant communities. For many, the solution lies in finding a middle ground—ensuring the safety of residents while respecting the rights of immigrants who contribute to the fabric of American society.
In conclusion, Detroit's stance on immigration reflects the city's commitment to working with federal agencies while still standing firm in its support for legal immigrants. Mayor Duggan’s comments, though controversial to some, emphasize the city's policy of cooperation with ICE, even as it maintains a position of support for those who are legally in the U.S. As the debate over immigration continues to unfold, Detroit’s approach will remain a key point of discussion, especially as the city navigates the complex intersection of federal immigration enforcement and local community dynamics.
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