Advocates: ICE denying medical, legal access at Michigan detention center

May 15, 2026

Civil rights organizations have accused a federal immigration detention facility in Baldwin, Michigan of providing inadequate medical care and restricting attorney access to detainees. The ACLU of Michigan and Michigan Immigrant Rights Center sent a formal complaint to Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding the North Lake Processing Center, which has held an average of 1,410 detainees daily since opening in June 2025. The organizations documented multiple cases of medical neglect, including one death and several instances where detainees allegedly did not receive necessary medications or follow-up care.

Who is affected

Detainees at the North Lake Processing Center (approximately 1,410 individuals held daily)
Nenko Gantchev (deceased detainee)
A man with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia experiencing mental health decline
A woman who experienced heart palpitations from lack of blood pressure medication
A man who did not receive follow-up care after a seizure and hospitalization
Family members of detainees
Attorneys attempting to visit and represent detainees
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The privately owned facility operator

What action is being taken

The ACLU of Michigan and Michigan Immigrant Rights Center are sending a letter to ICE officials detailing their concerns
Attorneys are attempting to visit detainees at the facility
Ricardo Granado, a Detroit pastor, is making trips to North Lake to meet with detainees
The advocacy groups are seeking resolution out of court

Why it matters

This situation raises serious human rights and legal concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees in federal custody. The allegations of medical neglect, including one death and multiple cases of denied or delayed care, suggest potential violations of constitutional rights and detention standards. The reported restrictions on attorney access could compromise detainees' ability to receive legal representation in immigration proceedings, fundamentally affecting due process. These conditions affect a vulnerable population of over 1,400 individuals who have limited resources and ability to advocate for themselves.

What's next

The advocacy groups are seeking an independent medical audit of the facility
They are requesting systematic health screenings for detainees
They want mandatory protocols for emergency medical response implemented
They are demanding free access to medication and adequate translation services
The organizations may pursue a lawsuit if issues are not resolved out of court

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com