Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) opposing its plan to use a recently purchased warehouse in Romulus as a detention facility for 500 migrants. Nessel argues that ICE’s proposal, outlined in an Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100- to 500-Year Floodplain, disregards Michigan’s interests and relevant federal and state laws.
“Our system of government and the law demand transparency and partnership with state and local governments,” writes Attorney General Nessel. “But ICE seems determined not just to ignore the need for such cooperation, but to frustrate it. Through its conduct, ICE appears intent to operate a mass detention facility a stone’s throw from a middle school, an elementary school, and a protected wetland. What’s more, ICE purchased the warehouse before any attempt to communicate with the State of Michigan, its agencies, or any local governing body about it.”
ICE released a floodplain notice related to its purchase of the Romulus warehouse and requested public comments by February 27, 2026. In her comment letter, Nessel emphasized that the building is not currently equipped to house or care for detained individuals.
Nessel also stated that the floodplain notice lacks sufficient detail for assessing compliance with several federal laws including the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, National Flood Insurance Act, Flood Disaster Protection Act, and Administrative Procedure Act. She noted that although the property lies within a floodplain area, ICE has not started discussions or applied for permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
The Attorney General called on ICE to halt further development at the site until it publicly explains its plans for the warehouse and consults with appropriate state and local officials while complying with all legal requirements concerning environmental impacts.
Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to information on the official website. The Michigan Department of Attorney General is responsible for protecting residents statewide through various initiatives in public service and policy efforts such as drafting expungement laws like Clean Slate in 2019 (source). The department also works on advancing social efforts against human trafficking and supporting vulnerable populations (source).
The full letter from Attorney General Nessel can be accessed online.
