Michigan Lawmaker Proposes Ban on State Property for ICE Detention Centers Amid Growing Concerns Over Deadly Immigration Custody
A Michigan state representative has introduced a bill to prohibit the sale or repurposing of state-owned property for federal immigration detention facilities, following a devastating year in which 32 people, including children, died in ICE custody. The measure aims to prevent ICE from expanding its operations in the state and would require deed restrictions on any state-sold property to bar it from being used as a detention center.
State Representative Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, has introduced House Bill 5494, which he believes is necessary in response to the growing concerns over ICE's enforcement tactics. "32 people died in ICE custody," Wegela said. "32 lives taken without dignity or due process. Some might say there's not much we can do here in Michigan, or at the state level, to fight against this administration. That's wrong. We can fight against ICE right here at home."
The bill would also require 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. This provision aims to prevent companies from profiting from ICE's operations while also holding the company accountable for any human rights abuses that may occur.
Wegela cited recent incidents, including the death of a 56-year-old man at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, as the inspiration for his bill. The center reopened in June after years of operating as a private prison and has been the subject of scrutiny over transparency and medical care.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns about ICE's enforcement tactics, which have become increasingly aggressive and covert. Arrests are now occurring during routine traffic stops and marriage-based green card interviews, with most people detained having no criminal convictions.
"This detention center should not exist," Wegela said. "What we can do in Michigan is make it clear that ICE is not welcome here." Despite the bill's potential to pass, Wegela acknowledged that Republicans control the state House, making it an uphill battle.
The move has been welcomed by immigration attorneys and advocates in Michigan, who have long criticized ICE's actions as a threat to human rights and public safety. "Unless House Republicans wake up to the reality of the threat that ICE poses to law and order, this will not move in the legislature," Wegela said, calling on activists and organizers to continue fighting against the agency's operations.
The bill is seen as a crucial step in resisting ICE's growing presence in Michigan and protecting the rights of immigrants living in the state. As Wegela put it, "I'm introducing this today as a rallying point for the folks actually fighting to keep us safe: the activists and organizers."
A Michigan state representative has introduced a bill to prohibit the sale or repurposing of state-owned property for federal immigration detention facilities, following a devastating year in which 32 people, including children, died in ICE custody. The measure aims to prevent ICE from expanding its operations in the state and would require deed restrictions on any state-sold property to bar it from being used as a detention center.
State Representative Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, has introduced House Bill 5494, which he believes is necessary in response to the growing concerns over ICE's enforcement tactics. "32 people died in ICE custody," Wegela said. "32 lives taken without dignity or due process. Some might say there's not much we can do here in Michigan, or at the state level, to fight against this administration. That's wrong. We can fight against ICE right here at home."
The bill would also require 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. This provision aims to prevent companies from profiting from ICE's operations while also holding the company accountable for any human rights abuses that may occur.
Wegela cited recent incidents, including the death of a 56-year-old man at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, as the inspiration for his bill. The center reopened in June after years of operating as a private prison and has been the subject of scrutiny over transparency and medical care.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns about ICE's enforcement tactics, which have become increasingly aggressive and covert. Arrests are now occurring during routine traffic stops and marriage-based green card interviews, with most people detained having no criminal convictions.
"This detention center should not exist," Wegela said. "What we can do in Michigan is make it clear that ICE is not welcome here." Despite the bill's potential to pass, Wegela acknowledged that Republicans control the state House, making it an uphill battle.
The move has been welcomed by immigration attorneys and advocates in Michigan, who have long criticized ICE's actions as a threat to human rights and public safety. "Unless House Republicans wake up to the reality of the threat that ICE poses to law and order, this will not move in the legislature," Wegela said, calling on activists and organizers to continue fighting against the agency's operations.
The bill is seen as a crucial step in resisting ICE's growing presence in Michigan and protecting the rights of immigrants living in the state. As Wegela put it, "I'm introducing this today as a rallying point for the folks actually fighting to keep us safe: the activists and organizers."
ice is literally killing people and yet we still have repubs supporting them idk how u can be so heartless Dylan Wegela 4eva 
his bill is a total game changer i hope it passes ASAP can u imagine having to live in michigan knowing that ICE is just chillin there waiting to take ppl away 
Wegelas gotta be a hero or somethin 32 lives taken 32 lives lost dont even get me started on those numbers 
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. It's about time someone stood up to those people and said "enough is enough".
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. This bill is just a bunch of grandstanding and won't actually make a difference in the grand scheme of things 
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32 deaths is already way too many & its just getting worse - like whats next? Wegela's bill is super needed ASAP, cant let private contractors profit off this stuff 
. Anyway, I guess it's better late than never, but I'm not holding my breath 
I mean, 32 people can't just die in custody without someone noticing. It's like they're trying to hide what's going on behind a curtain of secrecy and lawyers. But Michigan's stepping up and saying "nope" to this nonsense 
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. I'm all about seeing more states push back against ICE's invasive tactics too 
. We gotta protect our human rights and keep our communities safe 
. It's crazy that politicians can just keep letting this happen and it's not being taken seriously. Michigan Rep Dylan Wegela seems to be a really brave guy for speaking out against this, even if it means going up against Republicans. 
The idea of forcing companies to forfeit their property back to the state if they're using it for ICE detention is like a good way to hold them accountable 
. But honestly, I'm not sure how far this bill will get or what will happen next. It's like... will it actually make a difference? 
. As a retiree, I've seen my fair share of injustices, but this one hits close to home. It's not about being anti-immigrant or anti-government, it's about human rights and dignity 
. If we let ICE just waltz in here without any consequences, what's next? We gotta be the ones to hold them accountable for their actions 
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. Michigan rep Wegela is step in right direction by proposing ban on state property for ICE detention centers 
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just kidding, sorta. seriously tho, it's kinda about time someone took a stand on this issue. 32 people dying in custody is a huge red flag. Wegela's not wrong when he says we can't do much at the state level, but sometimes those little things matter. And btw, if republicans are gonna control the house, at least they can't claim to be all about "law and order" while ICE is running around like a bunch of rogue cops 
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. i think its a good idea 4 them to forfeit any property used by ICE - its like, we cant have ppl profiting offa human rights abuses 
. The fact that 32 people died in ICE custody is just devastating 
. We need more reps like Wegela who are actually doing something about it 
. Michigan's got a good rep for being chill and welcoming, let's keep it that way 
. But on the other hand, I'm not sure if this bill would really make a huge difference. I mean, what's to stop ICE from just finding another way to do things that don't involve using state-owned property?