Michigan Lawmaker Proposes Ban on State Property Used for ICE Detention Facilities Amid Rising Deaths in Custody
In response to a surge of deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, Michigan lawmakers are pushing to block the use of state-owned property for federal detention facilities. A proposed bill, introduced by state Rep. Dylan Wegela, aims to prevent ICE from expanding its operations in the state.
The measure, House Bill 5494, would prohibit the state from conveying property to ICE and require deed restrictions on any state-sold land to be barred from being used as a detention center. The legislation is a reaction to the deadly year in 2025 when 32 people, including children, died nationwide in ICE custody.
Wegela cited the deaths and violent encounters involving federal immigration agents as the impetus for the bill. He argues that "we can't let this administration get away with taking lives without dignity or due process." The proposed legislation also requires private contractors operating detention facilities on formerly state-owned land to forfeit the property back to the state if it is used for immigration detention.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny of ICE detention in Michigan, including the reopening of the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin. In December, a 56-year-old man died at the facility, prompting questions about transparency and medical care. The center's reopening was met with concerns from lawmakers and advocates, who point to increased enforcement tactics by ICE.
Wegela's bill is expected to face an uphill battle due to Republican control of the state House. However, he has expressed confidence that his measure will serve as a rallying point for activists and organizers fighting against what they call "fascism" in the form of ICE's enforcement policies.
In response to a surge of deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, Michigan lawmakers are pushing to block the use of state-owned property for federal detention facilities. A proposed bill, introduced by state Rep. Dylan Wegela, aims to prevent ICE from expanding its operations in the state.
The measure, House Bill 5494, would prohibit the state from conveying property to ICE and require deed restrictions on any state-sold land to be barred from being used as a detention center. The legislation is a reaction to the deadly year in 2025 when 32 people, including children, died nationwide in ICE custody.
Wegela cited the deaths and violent encounters involving federal immigration agents as the impetus for the bill. He argues that "we can't let this administration get away with taking lives without dignity or due process." The proposed legislation also requires private contractors operating detention facilities on formerly state-owned land to forfeit the property back to the state if it is used for immigration detention.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny of ICE detention in Michigan, including the reopening of the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin. In December, a 56-year-old man died at the facility, prompting questions about transparency and medical care. The center's reopening was met with concerns from lawmakers and advocates, who point to increased enforcement tactics by ICE.
Wegela's bill is expected to face an uphill battle due to Republican control of the state House. However, he has expressed confidence that his measure will serve as a rallying point for activists and organizers fighting against what they call "fascism" in the form of ICE's enforcement policies.
. Like, wouldn't that just create more problems? What if some states don't agree with this and end up having no place for these people? And what about all the kids who are being held in these detention centers... aren't they just getting a safe place to be while their parents get sorted out? 
I'm not saying ICE is perfect, but banning state property seems like an overreaction. Can we get some actual data on how many people have died because of the facilities instead of just numbers? 
32 people died in ice custody last year thats crazy 
and if a lawmaker like dylan wegela is pushin for change then i'm all for it 
its like such a nightmare situation. i feel so bad for all those people who have died or been hurt in custody... like what kind of system allows this to happen? 
btw, i wonder how michigan lawmakers are handling the fact that detentions are going up at ice facilities... is it all just politics or what? 
we gotta stand up for those who are already struggling to get their lives together, especially kids 
32 deaths is just heartbreaking, you can't even process that kinda number... and it's all because of the system being broken 
Wegela's right to speak out against this injustice, his bill might face some pushback but I'm rooting for him 
did u know that Michigan has already seen 15% increase in ppl using healthcare services in 2025 compared to 2024? 
maybe this bill will help prevent more deaths by prioritizing mental health support in these facilities 
just heard about this new law proposed by Rep. Dylan Wegela to ban state property used for ICE detention facilities... 32 people died in ICE custody last year, including kids 
... they're takin a stand on somethin that alot of people are worried about - the treatment of detains in ice custody it's def worth lookin into how this bill can help reduce those deaths & ensure better care for folks in detention 
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it might not be easy passin through the state house but it's def somethin to keep an eye on 
. And yeah, Republicans in power might make it hard but if enough people show up to the polls and make their voices heard, change can happen 
this bill is def gonna spark alot of controversie n maybe change sum peoples minds 
. Like, can't we just focus on making sure everyone has access to healthcare and education instead of taking sides on this whole ICE thing? It feels like Michigan is going to end up being a major testing ground for the feds to push their policies on us...and it's not even like it's working 
. The deaths in custody are just heartbreaking, but we need to be addressing the systemic issues that led to those tragedies rather than just banning state property from being used as detention centers. It feels like a Band-Aid solution 
But seriously, 32 people died in ICE custody last year? That's wild and unacceptable...I mean, who needs that many deaths in one place? 
I guess you could say it's a real 'detention' issue 
. Anyway,Rep. Wegela is trying to do something about it by proposing this bill, which basically says no more ICE facilities on state property 
. Time to put an end to this detention drama and get back to making America sweet again...I mean, America better! 
Anyway, it's a good start, I guess. Michigan can set an example and show the country that enough is enough with ICE detention centers. But what's next? Are we just gonna let the feds move their prisons to other states? It feels like a game of whack-a-mole. And have you seen those detention centers they're setting up? They're basically modern-day prisons... 
it's crazy how some ppl are like "fascism" but really they're just mad bc their pols rnt doin enuf to help ppl 
it's crazy that rep wegela had to introduce this bill because it seems like common sense. who lets their government build detention centers in the first place? 
and btw, what even is going on with those private contractors? shouldn't they be held accountable too? 
. Why just stop at preventing state property from being used for detentions? We should also be pushing for federal legislation that addresses the systemic issues surrounding immigration policy and enforcement