Federal lawsuit filed to halt Romulus ICE facility
A federal lawsuit has been filed challenging the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility proposed in the City of Romulus.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed the suit last week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The filing seeks to halt actions by ICE in converting a warehouse on 7535 Cogswell Road into a 500-capacity detention center claiming failure of the federal department to evaluate alternatives, complete environmental reviews, and coordinate with state and local officials.
According to property records the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paid $34.67 million for the 261,450 square-foot building. Commercial real estate experts estimate this as a 57 percent premium cost for the property which was sold for $22.1 million in 2023. Similar overpayments for several other proposed buildings in multiple states are currently under review by the department, according to news reports.
The court filing claims that DHS and ICE violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to adequately consider alternative facilities like existing prisons, jails, or detention centers. The lawsuit claims the property has historically used for warehouse operations and was purchased by ICE without any notification to state, county or local governments or the public. The site had been positioned, authorities said, for city economic development and was expected to be sold to an automotive supplier which would have brought both jobs and tax revenue to the city. In the court filings, concerns about the proximity of the detention center to residential neighborhoods and schools, the location of the property in a floodplain and infrastructure limitations are cited.
During the announcement of the lawsuit last week, Romulus Mayor Robert A. McCraight noted the failure of the federal government to comply with the regulations posed a threat to the community.
“We are not asking for a handout, just the opportunity to grow and improve the quality of life for our residents, without being burdened by outside decisions that do not involve our community. Any project of this magnitude must go through all required permitting and legal channels,” McCraight said.
McCraight also took to social media to explain the city position regarding the detention center.
“Since everyone seems to have an opinion on this issue, and those opinions are largely based on assumptions and personal beliefs, let me be perfectly clear,” McCraight posted. “This legal action is about fighting for my community. Fighting for my home. My responsibilities don't permit me to allow my personal feelings to determine a course of action.”
McCraight posted that he believes the department officials would have determined the Cogswell Road building was unsuitable for the proposed facility had they followed official procedures established by the federal government for property acquisitions.
“This will be another negative impact on our city and a drain on our public safety,” McCraight posted. “Romulus has been ignored over objections over a deep injection well, airport expansion, incorrect floodplain maps, all driving housing values down. Not to mention, in addition to a lawsuit fighting radioactive materials being buried in a neighboring landfill,” he added.
“As the state's Attorney General, I have a legal and moral obligation to act if and when this administration behaves unlawfully and does so in a way that harms Michigan residents,” said Nessel. “The Romulus warehouse is simply not—and never will be—an appropriate place for a large-scale detention center. DHS…appears to have conducted an ill-conceived rush job, free from any traditional planning considerations or even basic concern for the many Romulus residents who will be impacted by their actions,” Nessel said during the official announcement of the lawsuit.
Members of the Romulus City Council voted to join the federal lawsuit. Council members previously approved an official resolution opposing the proposed ICE facility in the city.
“The people of Romulus have had unwanted infrastructure imposed on them before - last time it was a hazardous waste injection well, now it’s an ICE detention center. This proposed facility will drain police resources, hamper economic development, and bring chaos into our community,” said State Sen. Darrin Camilleri. “I applaud AG Nessel for her efforts to fight back against this unwanted project.”
“ICE has lost in court more than 4,400 times since October for wrongfully jailing people. Last year in ICE detention, we saw record deaths,” said State Rep. Dylan Wegela. “This year alone at least 13 people have died in ICE custody. It comes as no surprise that for an agency with a track record of terrible conditions for their facilities, ICE would choose a terrible spot for a new detention center like the Cogswell facility in Romulus. I represent the part of Romulus where this proposed facility is, and no one wants it. It’s a disaster in the making.”
