LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, Michigan’s top law enforcement officer, along with the city of Romulus, does not want illegal aliens detained in Southeast Michigan.
Nessel claims she’s morally obligated when Trump behaves “unlawfully.”
On Tuesday, Nessel’s office and the city of Romulus announced a lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal government purchased a warehouse in Romulus in February with plans to turn it into a detention facility for illegal aliens. At the time, an ICE spokesperson told CBS News Detroit that the facility would create more than 1,400 jobs, generate $150 million in economic activity, and bring in more than $33 million in projected tax revenue.
MORE NEWS: Michigan Democrats Vote Against Bill to Deport Illegal Aliens Who Commit Fraud
Nessel said of the lawsuit, “I have a legal and moral obligation to act if and when [the Trump] administration behaves unlawfully and does so in a way that harms Michigan residents.” She added, “The Romulus Warehouse is simply not — and never will be — an appropriate place for a large-scale detention center.” In addition, Nessel called the warehouse purchase an “ill-conceived rush job.”
Lawsuit sticking points.
The complaint blends legal process claims with broader political framing. It argues DHS skipped environmental review, did not consult state and local officials, and failed to consider “existing prisons, jails, and detention centers that could provide the increased immigration detention capacity.” However, repurposing an old prison has already occurred in Michigan and Democrats still don’t like it. As reported last year, a closed Lake County prison reopened as an ICE processing center.
The lawsuit also undercuts a familiar Democratic talking point. Democrats often insist illegal aliens are not a threat to public safety, even the ones arrested by ICE, yet this complaint argues the proposed ICE detention center is unacceptable in part because it sits too close to homes, neighborhoods, and schools.
Beyond that, the lawsuit discusses political issues, casting the case as part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement surge and accuses the administration of pushing an agenda, saying, “Defendants’ purchase of the Romulus Warehouse is part and parcel of the Trump administration’s efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement throughout the country – and, in many instances, flout the law in the process.”
Mayor wants facility stopped, then shuts down debate.
Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight posted on social media earlier this month that, “We continue to gather support against ICE locating a detention facility close to our neighborhoods and schools!” Later, he added, “I apologize but I had to delete comments and restrict future comments. I respect everyone’s opinions but there are other forums for you to debate. I can’t allow debates on my page. I just dont (sic) have the band with (sic) to continue to monitor them.”
In a separate case, ICE announced plans last month to lease office space in Southfield.
This marks the 50th lawsuit filed or joined by Nessel’s office against the Trump administration since he returned to the White House last year.
