ICE arrests start in Metro Detroit: What rights to know

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with several other federal agencies, are beginning operations in Michigan and Ohio where Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have arrested ‘immigration violators’ in the area.

Cities throughout the country are reporting similar events. In Chicago, ICE agents began ‘targeted operations’ while Atlanta residents are seeing similar arrests. Here in the Detroit area, HSI Detroit posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it began operations but did not specify when.

The Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) held a press conference Monday afternoon – which was originally planned for later this week due to the rising arrests of immigrants.

The ACRL spoke to make sure everyone knows their rights if they encounter law enforcement. 

"We're not sitting here condoning illegal immigration. What we're saying is that (there are) protections for individuals who are already in this country. You can't go for 10, 20, 50, 100 years and do something a certain way. Then come down one day and say ‘oh this is gonna end tomorrow, we’re just gonna put you on a plane and get you out of here'," ACRL founder Nabih Ayad said.

What immigrants need to know 

Big picture view:

The ACRL said multiple times that the message was for people who are in the country legally. Anyone who is legally in the country and has an encounter with ICE is recommended to keep a few things to keep in mind:

  • Do not open the door unless ICE has a warrant
  • Remain silent and ask for an attorney
  • Document and record the encounter with your phone
  • Don't sign anything without talking to an attorney
  • Report the incident and then make a plan
  • Prepare in advance with a trusted contact and know your rights.
  • Remain calm
  • Tell the truth

The ACRL has set up a hotline for people to call and report any inappropriate activity: 1-800-243-0302. Anyone who has concerns about their rights can call that number.

Trump mass deportation plan takes flight across U.S.

The backstory:

Ahead of both terms, President Donald Trump has consistently campaigned on the promise to crack down on illegal immigration in the U.S.

On Inauguration Day, a number of his executive orders were geared toward beefing up security at the southern border.

President Trump has said that he wants to remove anyone living in the country illegally.

ICE raids: How many people have been arrested and deported?

By the numbers:

ICE has been keeping a tally of how many arrests have been made each day. On Monday night, it was confirmed that 1,179 people were arrested, and 853 detainers were lodged.

While some of the operations may not have been unusual, ICE averaged 311 daily arrests in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

The Source: FOX 2 was at the ACRL's press conference on Monday. We also utilized stats from FOX5Atlanta.com and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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