By Skyla Jewell-Hammie
Gongwer News Service
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, believes U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement has no place in Michigan following the announcement that a new detention facility has been purchased in Romulus.
In a Feb. 12 written statement, the Detroit Democrat said she will continue to work with advocates to protect the local communities from ICE.
“This is an unaccountable and violent agency that terrorizes and brutalizes our communities every day,” Tlaib wrote on her website. “We have all watched as ICE agents execute American citizens in broad daylight and detain and deport our immigrant neighbors with no regard for their well-being, right to due process, or the myriad other laws and court orders restricting their illegal operations.”
Her comments come as a spokesperson confirmed with CBS News Detroit that a new ICE facility is in the works for Southeast Michigan.
The agency said the Romulus facility is located at 7525 Cogswell St. near Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
“ICE is now attempting to expand its unwanted presence in Southeast Michigan, with a new office building lease with REDICO in Southfield to intensify its operations against our communities and a new warehouse jail in Romulus to cage hundreds of our neighbors in unsafe conditions,” Tlaib stated.
Construction of the facility is expected to generate 1,458 jobs, nearly $150 million in economic activity, and more than $33 million in projected tax revenue.
Separately, ICE will also use office space in Southfield for administrative and legal functions, city officials announced last week.
The space will support administrative and legal functions under ICE, and enforcement officers will not operate from that location, city officials said.
In a statement, REDICO said that the lease is with the U.S. General Services Administration and not ICE.
“The lease explicitly prohibits any law enforcement, detention or similar activities from taking place on the premises,” REDICO stated. “Any suggestion that the space is being leased by ICE, or used for purposes other than administrative office functions, is inaccurate.”
The real estate development company has a longstanding relationship with the U.S. General Services Administration, which leases space in several of its commercial properties across the country for office and administrative use only.
Last month, REDICO signed a new lease agreement with the U.S., by and through the GSA, for “general office use only” at a commercial office building in Southfield. The terms of this lease allow GSA to utilize the space for any of its departments.
It is not clear how many detention facilities may ultimately operate in Romulus. The confirmation follows weeks of speculation surrounding the property.
Across the country, Tlaib said people are coming together to prevent this “massive expansion” of ICE’s network, which she believes is underscored by abuse and cruelty.
State Sen. Darrin Camilleri and State Rep. Dylan Wegela have also publicly opposed the project.
“We must organize and use every tool at our disposal to keep ICE out of our neighborhoods,” she said.
Gongwer News Service
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, believes U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement has no place in Michigan following the announcement that a new detention facility has been purchased in Romulus.
In a Feb. 12 written statement, the Detroit Democrat said she will continue to work with advocates to protect the local communities from ICE.
“This is an unaccountable and violent agency that terrorizes and brutalizes our communities every day,” Tlaib wrote on her website. “We have all watched as ICE agents execute American citizens in broad daylight and detain and deport our immigrant neighbors with no regard for their well-being, right to due process, or the myriad other laws and court orders restricting their illegal operations.”
Her comments come as a spokesperson confirmed with CBS News Detroit that a new ICE facility is in the works for Southeast Michigan.
The agency said the Romulus facility is located at 7525 Cogswell St. near Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
“ICE is now attempting to expand its unwanted presence in Southeast Michigan, with a new office building lease with REDICO in Southfield to intensify its operations against our communities and a new warehouse jail in Romulus to cage hundreds of our neighbors in unsafe conditions,” Tlaib stated.
Construction of the facility is expected to generate 1,458 jobs, nearly $150 million in economic activity, and more than $33 million in projected tax revenue.
Separately, ICE will also use office space in Southfield for administrative and legal functions, city officials announced last week.
The space will support administrative and legal functions under ICE, and enforcement officers will not operate from that location, city officials said.
In a statement, REDICO said that the lease is with the U.S. General Services Administration and not ICE.
“The lease explicitly prohibits any law enforcement, detention or similar activities from taking place on the premises,” REDICO stated. “Any suggestion that the space is being leased by ICE, or used for purposes other than administrative office functions, is inaccurate.”
The real estate development company has a longstanding relationship with the U.S. General Services Administration, which leases space in several of its commercial properties across the country for office and administrative use only.
Last month, REDICO signed a new lease agreement with the U.S., by and through the GSA, for “general office use only” at a commercial office building in Southfield. The terms of this lease allow GSA to utilize the space for any of its departments.
It is not clear how many detention facilities may ultimately operate in Romulus. The confirmation follows weeks of speculation surrounding the property.
Across the country, Tlaib said people are coming together to prevent this “massive expansion” of ICE’s network, which she believes is underscored by abuse and cruelty.
State Sen. Darrin Camilleri and State Rep. Dylan Wegela have also publicly opposed the project.
“We must organize and use every tool at our disposal to keep ICE out of our neighborhoods,” she said.
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