Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking details on ICE’s plan to convert a Romulus warehouse into an immigration detention center. This action follows a previous comment letter from Nessel expressing concern about what she described as a lack of transparency from ICE regarding the facility’s intended use.
Attorney General Nessel criticized ICE for not providing information or engaging with state and local agencies before purchasing the warehouse or outlining its future operations. She stated, “The President and DHS have committed to transparency in their use of taxpayer dollars,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Yet we have been met with silence and secrecy regarding ICE’s plans to convert a commercial warehouse in Romulus, located a stone’s throw from two schools and abutting residential properties, into a mass immigration detention center. Michigan residents deserve the transparency that was promised to ensure the federal government is operating within the bounds of the law and respecting the rights of our state. ICE has continued to ignore requests for basic information about the warehouse from my office, local officials, and residents. Through this FOIA request, we demand answers.”
The FOIA request asks for documents related to the purchase of the warehouse, reasons behind its acquisition, renovation plans, any analyses performed on how such a facility would impact an urban residential area, and further details about how ICE intends to use it. The Attorney General’s office stated that any records obtained will be made public.
Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to information on the official website. The Michigan Department of Attorney General carries out efforts statewide aimed at protecting residents and advancing social initiatives such as supporting vulnerable populations and combating human trafficking (source). The department also influences policy by drafting legislation like the Clean Slate law in 2019 for expungement opportunities (source).
The Attorney General’s office holds authority across Michigan with responsibilities that include public service initiatives designed to protect residents throughout the state (source).
