Michigan Police Accused of Calling ICE on Drivers During Traffic Stops

Advocates say lack of proper ID leads to deportation despite claims of not enforcing immigration laws

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:06am

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A cinematic painting of a lone police car parked on a dimly lit suburban street, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a pensive, nostalgic mood.A somber scene of a police car on a quiet suburban street highlights the tension between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.Today in Detroit

Police in Canton Township, Michigan, a diverse suburb of Detroit, have been accused of calling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on drivers during traffic stops, even though the department claims it does not enforce immigration laws. In one incident, an officer stopped a man who provided a Mexican driver's license that was allegedly invalid because it hadn't been translated to English, and instead of just issuing a ticket, the officer called ICE.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between local law enforcement and immigration authorities, as well as the impact that traffic stops can have on immigrant communities, even in areas where police claim they don't enforce immigration laws. Advocates argue that this practice puts countless Michigan immigrants on the path to deportation.

The details

In August, a Canton Township police officer stopped a man who provided a Mexican driver's license that was allegedly invalid because it hadn't been translated to English. Instead of simply issuing the driver a ticket, the officer called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

  • The incident occurred in August.

The players

Canton Township Police Department

A police department in a diverse suburb of Detroit that claims it does not enforce immigration laws.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by immigrant communities in Michigan, even in areas where local law enforcement claims it does not enforce immigration laws. It raises questions about the relationship between local police and federal immigration authorities, and the impact that routine traffic stops can have on the lives of undocumented immigrants.