Federal Officials Abandon Romulus Detention Center Plans in Wake of Lawsuit
ROMULUS, MI – In a significant policy shift, federal immigration officials have decided to abandon plans to convert a warehouse in Romulus into an immigration detention center. Instead, they will sell the property. This decision comes after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit challenging the proposal.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) purchased the warehouse located at 7525 Cogswell Street in February without any public announcement, intending to transform it into a facility capable of detaining hundreds of individuals.
On March 24, Attorney General Nessel, alongside local authorities from Romulus, initiated legal action against ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Their lawsuit argued that the chosen site was unsuitable and that federal agencies neglected to conduct the necessary legal and environmental assessments.
In a statement on June 18, Nessel remarked that the federal government’s decision represents a notable turnaround, noting that within less than three months of filing the lawsuit, ICE and DHS appeared to have retreated from their original plans.
Concerns About Site and Infrastructure Highlighted in Lawsuit
The lawsuit outlined various concerns regarding the warehouse’s location, which is situated within one mile of both an elementary and a middle school, adjacent to residential neighborhoods, and within a floodplain that had already experienced significant flooding in the past year. Additionally, the complaint asserted that the building lacked the necessary infrastructure to adequately support around 500 detainees and staff members, including appropriate sanitation facilities.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claimed that ICE and DHS had violated federal law by failing to consider alternative detention sites, which could include existing prisons and jails. It also cited violations of the National Environmental Policy Act for not adequately engaging with state and local officials prior to the project’s advancement.
Legal Action Leads to Construction Delays
Shortly after filing the lawsuit, Nessel requested a preliminary injunction to pause any construction efforts while the matter proceeded through the courts. Although federal authorities provided rationale for delays—including moving the timeline from the end of June to the end of July—ICE has now officially communicated to state officials that it will no longer move forward with the construction of the detention center and instead will place the property on the market.
Continuous Legal Efforts Until Formal Resolution Achieved
Despite the announcement of an abandoned plan, the lawsuit remains active. Nessel emphasized that the state would continue its legal battle until a formal agreement is reached, ensuring the warehouse will never be used as an immigrant detention center and confirming that the property will be sold. ICE has yet to issue any public comments regarding this latest decision.
Reaction from state officials has been positive, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and other leaders applauding the community’s efforts in halting the proposed detention center. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that local voices are heard when it comes to decisions affecting community welfare.
