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Are Detroit police assisting ICE enforcement? Council questions DPD.

July 2, 2025

Detroit police came under scrutiny after assisting federal agents during an immigration raid that led to the arrest of undocumented Honduran Marcos Fabian Arita Bautista. Although Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison maintains that DPD doesn't engage in immigration enforcement, residents and council members questioned this distinction after officers pepper-sprayed protesters and helped apprehend individuals who tried to prevent the federal operation. The incident triggered a debate about police policies limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with residents arguing that by providing security for federal agents, DPD was effectively participating in immigration enforcement despite claims to the contrary.

Who is affected

  • Detroit residents, particularly those in immigrant communities
  • Marcos Fabian Arita Bautista, the undocumented Honduran man arrested
  • Protesters who were pepper-sprayed and arrested
  • Detroit homeowners whose property was raided
  • Community organizations like Asamblea Popular Detroit and Detroit Jews For Justice
  • Residents concerned about police cooperation with immigration enforcement

What action is being taken

  • Council members are summoning Detroit Police Department representatives to explain their involvement
  • Council President Mary Sheffield and Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero are requesting the release of body camera footage
  • Police officials are defending their actions as "restoring peace" rather than immigration enforcement
  • Community members are calling for the release of arrested protesters
  • Santiago-Romero is ensuring a detained woman with epilepsy receives necessary medication

Why it matters

  • The incident raises questions about whether DPD is following policies meant to limit cooperation with ICE
  • It highlights tensions between local law enforcement priorities and federal immigration operations
  • Residents feel betrayed by police they believed would not participate in immigration enforcement
  • The situation has become a political issue in the upcoming mayoral race, with candidates being pressured to clarify their positions
  • There are concerns about proper procedures being followed, such as the alleged failure to present a search warrant

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com