Why Trump isn’t talking about enforcement in Detroit, yet

September 10, 2025

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has stated that President Trump is not targeting Detroit for federal immigration enforcement partly because the city, unlike Chicago, is not a sanctuary city and cooperates with ICE detainer requests. This stance comes as Trump's administration launches "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago, targeting undocumented immigrants in a city that refuses to honor deportation requests for convicted criminals. Meanwhile, some Detroit residents are advocating for sanctuary city protections, with the Detroit Community Action Committee requesting the City Council create an ordinance protecting residents, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that expands immigration agents' authority to stop individuals based on factors including ethnicity and language.

Who is affected

Undocumented immigrants in Detroit
Detroit residents seeking sanctuary city protections
Detroit Police Department (which cooperates with ICE detainers)
Residents in cities with sanctuary status (like Chicago) who are facing federal immigration enforcement
People who may be targeted under the new Supreme Court ruling, including those who "look Latino, speak Spanish, and appear to work a low wage job"
U.S. citizens who might be wrongly arrested by ICE (mentioned in dissenting opinion)

What action is being taken

Detroit is cooperating with federal authorities by honoring ICE detainer requests when fingerprints in their system match those of undocumented immigrants
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is conducting "Operation Midway Blitz" targeting undocumented immigrants in Chicago
The Detroit Community Action Committee is asking the City Council to create an ordinance protecting residents
Mayor Duggan is publicly discussing Detroit's immigration enforcement stance on national media (CNN)
Detroit Council Member Mary Waters is speaking out against federal intervention in cities with Black leadership

Why it matters

The article highlights the contrast between cities with sanctuary protections and those without, showing how federal immigration enforcement is being deployed differently
A recent Supreme Court ruling allows immigration agents to stop people based on race, ethnicity, language, location, or occupation, which advocates argue creates urgent need for local protections
The issue is becoming politically charged, with various officials weighing in on whether federal intervention is appropriate or constitutional
There are concerns about potential racial targeting, with Council Member Waters noting Trump seems to be targeting cities with Black leadership
The situation impacts relationships between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com