Kristen Bell, the executive director of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, often looks beyond the Detroit immigration department for assistance on behalf of immigrant families. She believes that the city lacks a comprehensive plan to adequately support its immigrant population.
Bell’s organization is proactively addressing these challenges by training staff and collaborating with local groups to provide essential services, including legal aid and bilingual health care. She emphasizes that the city is not the go-to resource for these types of support. “The office is inconsistent and under-resourced, leaving many without the help they need,” she remarked.
In recent months, community organizations have intensified their calls for Detroit to adopt sanctuary city status, urging for the release of high school students held in federal custody and requesting local law enforcement to cease cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A central aspect of these demands is a push to revitalise the city’s Office of Immigration and Economic Inclusion. District 6 Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago Romero voiced her concerns, stating, “The office is essentially a nominal entity that lacks the resources and support necessary to truly assist immigrant communities.”
Advocating for Community Integration
The Department of Immigration plays a role in resettling refugees, yet Santiago Romero believes there is significant room for improvement in aiding residents to integrate into the city’s fabric. Important tasks include securing affordable housing, employment opportunities, and ensuring that language access ordinances are honored. She advocates for a dedicated role within the Department of Immigration Affairs to address these concerns directly with city departments.
Foreign-born residents represent approximately 8% of Detroit’s populace, numbering around 54,000 individuals and hailing from diverse regions, especially Latin America and Asia. Despite some initial successes following the establishment of the immigration office in 2015—such as drafting a refugee resettlement plan and introducing city ID cards—funding has been scarce and inconsistent. Currently, the office operates on just over $519,000 annually, with a mere three staff members. Surprisingly, the upcoming budget proposed by Mayor Mary Sheffield includes a 7% reduction in funding.
New Leadership and a Path Forward
City officials have relocated the immigration office to the newly formed Department of Human, Homeless, and Family Services under the leadership of Luke Schaefer. In his initial addresses, Schaefer declared addressing immigration enforcement as a critical priority, indicating that the administration is reviewing successful policies from other cities.
The city recently appointed Elizabeth Orozco-Vazquez, the CEO of Freedom House Detroit, as the new executive director. Orozco-Vazquez brings a personal understanding of the barriers faced by immigrants, having helped her mother navigate through city services after immigrating from Mexico. Her initial focus includes engaging with residents, understanding city resources, and exploring philanthropic opportunities for support.
Voices from the Community
Sadie Searle, founder of ABISA, dedicates her efforts to assisting Detroit’s West African community and helping asylum seekers prepare for their court hearings. She successfully campaigned for the release of Mor Ba, a 19-year-old student who had been arrested by ICE. Fundraising efforts enabled him to secure his $10,000 bail and return home.
With several Detroit teenagers having faced detention by federal immigration officials, Searle emphasizes the need for stronger city leadership to ensure that immigrant communities do not remain “in the shadows.” She expressed hope that the new administration will take proactive steps to support the city’s diverse immigrant population.
Cindy Gamboa, executive director of MI Poder, highlights the necessity for enhanced language access across city departments and legal support for residents navigating immigration proceedings. Her organization is part of a coalition advocating for a $1 million legal defense fund for local residents facing immigration challenges. This proposal, however, did not make it into the city’s final budget.
Bell reiterates that even modest improvements could signify a shift in the city’s approach. “If they can get services right this year, it would be a cause for celebration,” she stated.
