Southfield Residents Raise Concerns Over Planned ICE Office

Immigrant advocates and Democratic leaders worry the new ICE office could be used for voter suppression and targeting communities.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The city of Southfield, Michigan has announced that a real estate company, REDICO, has signed a lease with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to open an office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city. This has sparked concerns from immigrant advocates and Democratic leaders, who fear the office could be used to target certain communities and potentially suppress voting in the upcoming November elections.

Why it matters

The planned ICE office in Southfield, a city with a diverse population, has raised alarms among immigrant rights groups and political leaders who worry it could be used for increased enforcement and surveillance activities, particularly around the November elections. There are also concerns that the office could be a precursor to a potential ICE detention facility in the region.

The details

According to the city, the ICE office will be used for "administrative and legal operations" only, and ICE enforcement officers will not be operating out of the location. However, the real estate company REDICO, which signed the lease with the GSA, has stated that the lease "explicitly prohibits any law enforcement, detention or similar activities to take place on the premises." This has led to confusion and skepticism among local officials and advocates about the true purpose of the office.

  • The city of Southfield announced the ICE office lease on February 11, 2026.
  • U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib released a statement objecting to the office on February 12, 2026.

The players

REDICO

The real estate company that signed the lease with the GSA for the ICE office space in Southfield.

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib

A Democratic representative from Michigan's 13th congressional district who has expressed strong opposition to the planned ICE office.

Mark Brewer

A Detroit attorney and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party who is concerned the ICE office could be used for voter suppression.

Kenson Siver

The mayor of Southfield who has stated the city has limited authority over the landlord-tenant contract for the ICE office.

Robert McCraight

The mayor of Romulus, Michigan who has strongly objected to reports of a potential 500-bed ICE detention facility in his city.

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What they’re saying

“ICE is now attempting to expand its unwanted presence in Southeast Michigan, with a new office building lease with REDICO in Southfield to intensify their operations against our communities and a new warehouse jail in Romulus to cage hundreds of our neighbors in unsafe conditions.”

— U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (Free Press)

“ICE isn't coming to Southfield because it's a hotbed of illegal immigration (it ain't) but to make Southfield its headquarters for voter suppression in the fall elections on behalf of Trump and the GOP.”

— Mark Brewer, Detroit attorney and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (X)

What’s next

The city of Southfield has stated it will provide updates to residents on the planned ICE office. Additionally, a coalition of religious groups in Michigan is planning an online press conference on February 16th to call for transparency, accountability, and reform regarding immigration enforcement practices.

The takeaway

The planned ICE office in Southfield has raised significant concerns among immigrant advocates and political leaders who worry it could be used to target certain communities and potentially suppress voting in the upcoming elections. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions and debates around immigration enforcement and its potential impacts on local communities.