ICE in Michigan: More arrests, detainees and protests

January 27, 2026

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests and detentions in Michigan have nearly tripled during President Trump's second term, with 2,349 arrests from January through October 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Most detainees are held at the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, which reopened in June 2025 and now houses an average of 1,391 people, making it the largest detention center in the Midwest. While the Trump administration initially pledged to focus on violent criminals, federal data shows most Michigan detainees had no criminal record, with immigration-related offenses and drunk driving being the most common charges among those with records.

Who is affected

Undocumented immigrants in Michigan, particularly those from Mexico
2,349 people arrested by ICE in Michigan (January-October 2025)
3,338 people detained in Michigan through October 2025
Alex Pretti (U.S. citizen killed by Border Patrol in Minnesota)
Renee Nicole Good (killed during ICE encounter in Minnesota)
Immigrant families seeking assistance from advocacy groups
People attending court proceedings who may face civil arrest
Communities in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Midland where protests occurred
GR Rapid Response to ICE and Movimiento Cosecha volunteers
Residents near the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin

What action is being taken

ICE is conducting arrests and detentions across Michigan in urban, suburban, and rural settings
The North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin is housing detainees (1,391 daily average as of early January)
Democrats in the Michigan Legislature are preparing for a Thursday hearing and potential vote on bills limiting ICE cooperation
GR Rapid Response to ICE and partner organizations are monitoring enforcement, training volunteers, and assisting immigrant families
House Democrats are pushing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
The Michigan Supreme Court is weighing whether to ban civil arrests at courthouses
U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters have pledged not to vote for further Department of Homeland Security funding

Why it matters

This issue represents a significant escalation in immigration enforcement with profound implications for Michigan's immigrant communities and the state's political landscape. The tripling of arrests and detentions reveals that enforcement is extending far beyond the administration's stated focus on violent criminals, affecting primarily individuals with no criminal records or only immigration-related offenses. The deaths in Minnesota have intensified concerns about the safety of both immigrants and U.S. citizens during enforcement actions, sparking widespread protests and political action. The conflict also highlights deep partisan divisions, with Democrats advocating for protecting immigrant communities and limiting cooperation with federal authorities, while Republicans support aggressive enforcement and threaten retaliation against any restrictions. The outcome of these debates will determine Michigan's role in federal immigration enforcement and could affect thousands of residents' daily lives, including their willingness to access the court system.

What's next

State Sen. Stephanie Chang plans to hold a Thursday hearing and potential vote on bills that would prohibit state and local law enforcement from assisting ICE, ban Michigan agencies from sharing information with ICE, and require ICE agents to identify themselves
The Michigan Supreme Court will decide whether to adopt the proposed rule banning civil arrests at courthouses
Senate candidate elections will occur in the fall to replace outgoing Senator Gary Peters, with candidates Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, Mallory McMorrow, and Mike Rogers taking different positions on ICE
Senate Democrats plan ongoing discussions about immigration enforcement as a "top priority issue"

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com