Detroit City Councilwoman Looks To 'Ban Or Limit' ICE Operations

DETROIT — A Detroit city councilwoman asked members to explore ways to "ban or limit" Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city, according to a Thursday memo.

Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero sent a memo, which specifically asks how Detroit can "ban or limit" ICE operations on city property, in and around sensitive areas such as schools, clinics, hospitals and places of worship and in conjunction with the Detroit Police Department. It also asks what city policies does Detroit lack that other major cities have.

The memo comes just after a 37-year-old woman was shot and killed by an ICE officer in south Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Santiago-Romero noted it was the ninth shooting involving an ICE officer since September, and that other major cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia) have taken steps to "protect immigrant communities."

"Aggressive and hostile means have been deployed by ICE across the country," Santiago-Romero said in the memo. "The City of Detroit needs to enact and enforce such policies that can protect Detroiters from preventable suffering and death at the hands of the federal government."

Santiago-Romero is also seeking detailed information on the number of ICE requests for help from Detroit Police since the beginning of 2025.

The separate memo, directed to Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, asks how ICE requests are approved for Detroit Police help, the number of warrants ICE has shared with the department, what city resources are used to support ICE activities and if Detroit Police plans to enter into a formal agreement with ICE.

Santiago-Romero represents Detroit's 6th district, which is believed to be the city's most diverse and culturally rich area that has a strong Hispanic population.