Michigan Officials Vow to Block New ICE Detention Facility in Romulus

State and local leaders explore legal options to stop the proposed immigrant detention center near Detroit Metro Airport

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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State and local officials in Michigan are vowing to use 'all options' to block the opening of a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in the city of Romulus, near Detroit. The federal government has already purchased a large warehouse and plans to retrofit it into a 3,800-bed detention center, but local leaders argue the project ignores state and local interests and are exploring legal avenues to stop it.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE facility has sparked outrage among Michigan officials and residents who are concerned about the impact on the local community, including potential effects on property values, business investment, and public safety. The battle over the Romulus facility is part of a broader debate playing out across the country as the Trump administration seeks to expand ICE's detention capacity amid its crackdown on illegal immigration.

The details

According to federal records, the Department of Homeland Security plans to retrofit a 473,158-square-foot warehouse in Romulus and establish a 'secure operational area' on about 19 acres. The project would include 3,800 linear feet of new perimeter security fencing and wastewater upgrades. However, state and local officials say they have been kept in the dark about the plans and argue the facility would require state and local permits that they may deny. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sent a letter to ICE demanding they halt the project, and Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight has vowed not to issue any permits for the facility. Other avenues being explored include legal action and legislation to limit ICE's activities in the state.

  • The federal regulatory assessment notice identifying the Romulus facility plans was first published this week.
  • On Friday, March 6, 2026, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a letter to ICE demanding they halt the project.
  • On Monday, March 9, 2026, Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight said the city 'cannot sustain the impact' of the ICE facility and will not issue any permits for it.

The players

Dana Nessel

The Democratic Attorney General of Michigan who has sent a letter to ICE demanding they halt the Romulus detention facility project.

Robert McCraight

The mayor of Romulus, Michigan who has vowed not to issue any permits or certificates of occupancy for the proposed ICE detention facility in his city.

Darrin Camilleri

A Democratic state senator in Michigan who is working 'hand in hand' with the Romulus mayor and city council to oppose the ICE facility project.

Jaime Greene

A Republican state representative in Michigan who argues the country needs the border security that ICE provides, despite concerns about how the agency has handled certain situations.

Jeremy Moss

A Democratic state senator in Michigan who says the community will continue to protest the ICE facility in Southfield and hold the property owner accountable.

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What they’re saying

“Our No. 1 goal is to find any avenue to slow this down or stop it.”

— Darrin Camilleri, State Senator (Bridge Michigan)

“The ICE agents are doing their job — we do need to let them do their job, and those who don't do their job properly need to be held accountable.”

— Jaime Greene, State Representative (Bridge Michigan)

“Our community is going to come out and protest probably every week. The building owner has to be a good neighbor, too, and if not, they're going to find that people in our community are going to hold them to account.”

— Jeremy Moss, State Senator (Bridge Michigan)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the federal government to move forward with the Romulus facility despite the objections of state and local officials.

The takeaway

The battle over the proposed ICE detention center in Romulus highlights the growing tensions between the federal government's immigration enforcement efforts and the resistance from state and local communities who are concerned about the impact on their neighborhoods. Michigan officials are exploring every legal avenue to block the facility, underscoring the broader national debate over the role of ICE and the limits of federal power.