Trump deportations: Immigrants concerned after ICE spotted in Southwest Detroit, city councilwoman says
Councilwoman warns of immigration officials in southwest Detroit
One of the first executive orders signed by President Trump had to do with deporting undocumented immigrants. Now, a Detroit city councilwoman is warning that immigration officers have been spotted in Southwest Detroit.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - The presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Southwest Detroit, an area with a high population of Hispanic immigrants, has some on edge after President Donald Trump shared plans for mass deportations.
ICE in Detroit
What we know:
Detroit City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero said she learned Tuesday that ICE agents were spotted in Southwest Detroit. One video she was sent showed agents outside a home in the area.
"We see people taking videos of ICE on Vernor, Michigan Avenue, and they're fearful," the councilwoman said.
Santiago-Romero said she went to the house shown in the video, but ICE was gone. Now, she's focused on documenting these instances to report them to congress members.
She said she has reached out to Detroit Police Interim Chief Todd Bettison to "ensure that Detroit police will not be working with ICE for any immigration raids."
She also noted that business owners and residents are asking if they should expect raids in Detroit. Santiago-Romero said she is telling people no, but she also wants them to know their rights if they do encounter ICE.
"If you are undocumented, you have the right to not open your door to ICE. They must show you a warrant. It must be signed by a judge," she said.
Santiago-Romero added that people stopped by ICE while outside their homes have a right to tell the agents that they wish to speak to their lawyer before answering any questions.
What we don't know:
It isn't clear why ICE agents were seen visiting a Southwest Detroit home this week.
Santiago-Romero did note that because of the neighborhood's proximity to the Canadian border, it is not uncommon to see ICE on patrol.
As she works to gather more information, she is urging those who live in the area to be prepared and know their rights.
FOX 2 has reached out to ICE for information about the agents in the area. We are awaiting a response.
Trump's immigration plans
The backstory:
After taking office for his second term this week, Trump signed numerous executive orders, including several focused on immigration. The president has promised mass deportations, saying that such efforts are necessary to protect Americans.
"Our southern border is overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics that harm Americans, including America," the president wrote in an order declaring an emergency at the southern border.
The president has said he wants to conduct the "largest deportation program in American history."
"I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came," Trump said in his inauguration speech on Monday.
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Big picture view:
Though it isn't clear how Trump plans to carry out mass deportations, the presence of ICE agents in big cities, such as Detroit and Chicago, has rattled some.
In Chicago, a group called the Revcom Corps for the Emancipation of Humanity Chicago gathered Tuesday to rally against deportations and raids targeting undocumented immigrants.
When speaking to FOX News, border czar Tom Homan confirmed that ICE is carrying out mass deportations across the country.
"There has to be consequences for violating our laws," he said.
The Source: Information in this story is from Detroit City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero, FOX 32 Chicago, and FOX News.