Detroit Police Officers Suspended for Cooperating with Border Patrol

ICE offers jobs to suspended officers, says 'We have a place for you, patriots'

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Two Detroit police officers were suspended without pay for 30 days for calling Customs and Border Protection agents during traffic stops, which resulted in federal agents taking suspects into custody. The Detroit police chief had initially pushed to fire the officers, but the Board of Police Commissioners voted to suspend them instead. ICE responded by telling the suspended officers they have jobs waiting for them.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as Detroit effectively acts as a sanctuary city despite not officially declaring itself one. The suspensions raise questions about the limits of local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The details

In two separate incidents in December and February, a Detroit police sergeant and officer called Border Patrol agents during traffic stops, leading to federal agents taking suspects into custody. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison accused the officers of breaking department policy, which prohibits local police from cooperating with federal immigration agents. While Detroit has not officially declared itself a sanctuary city, its police are effectively prohibited from assisting ICE. After the officers were initially suspended with pay, the Board of Police Commissioners voted to suspend them without pay for 30 days, rejecting the chief's push to fire them.

  • On December 16, 2025, a Detroit police officer called Border Patrol agents during a traffic stop.
  • On February 9, 2026, a Detroit police sergeant called Border Patrol agents during a traffic stop.
  • On February 12, 2026, the two officers were initially suspended with pay.
  • On February 21, 2026, the Board of Police Commissioners voted to suspend the officers without pay for 30 days.

The players

Todd Bettison

The Detroit Police Chief who pushed to fire the officers for breaking department policy by calling Border Patrol.

Denise Wallet

A Detroit police sergeant with 27 years on the force who called Border Patrol to help with translation services during a traffic stop, rather than using the department's own translation line.

Rashida Tlaib

A leftist Michigan Democratic Representative who praised the police chief for punishing the officers.

Matt Hall

The Michigan House Republican leader who said firing the officers would be "unacceptable" and that the state House may review the Detroit Police Department's policies.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration agency that responded to the suspensions by telling the officers they have jobs waiting for them, calling them "patriots".

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What they’re saying

“We have a place for you, patriots.”

— Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (X)

“Chief Bettison and I agree that we need to make sure that our community and our residents trust the people who are trying to keep us safe.”

— Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Representative (The Detroit News)

“Firing the officers would be 'unacceptable,' and the state House may review the Detroit Police Department's policies.”

— Matt Hall, Michigan House Republican Leader (The Detroit News)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the suspended officers to be reinstated with back pay.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as cities like Detroit struggle to balance public safety concerns with protecting immigrant communities from overzealous federal deportation efforts.