Michigan Lawmaker Proposes Ban on State Property Used for ICE Detention Centers
A Michigan state representative has introduced a bill aimed at preventing the use of state-owned property for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. The proposal comes in the wake of 32 deaths nationwide in 2025, including children, in ICE custody, with some attributed to violent encounters involving federal immigration agents.
House Bill 5494, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Wegela, would prohibit the state from conveying property to ICE and require deed restrictions barring any state-sold property from being used as a detention center. The bill also requires private contractors operating detention facilities on formerly state-owned land to forfeit the property back to the state if it is used for immigration detention.
Wegela's move follows scrutiny of ICE detention in Michigan, including the reopening of the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, which has sparked questions about transparency and medical care. The center reopened in June after years of operating as a private prison, with the death of a 56-year-old man prompting lawmakers and advocates to raise concerns.
The deaths and violent encounters involving federal immigration agents have been cited by Wegela as the impetus for his bill. "We're seeing targeted killings against those peacefully resisting ICE in their assault on Minneapolis," he said. "These detention centers should not exist... What we can do in Michigan is make it clear that ICE is not welcome here."
However, the proposal faces an uphill battle due to Republican control of the state House. Wegela acknowledged that unless House Republicans wake up to the reality of the threat posed by ICE, his bill will not move in the legislature.
The move comes as immigration attorneys and advocates in Michigan say enforcement tactics have grown increasingly aggressive and covert, with arrests occurring during routine traffic stops and marriage-based green card interviews. "These detention centers should not exist," Wegela said, calling on lawmakers to fight against what he sees as a rising tide of fascism.
A Michigan state representative has introduced a bill aimed at preventing the use of state-owned property for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. The proposal comes in the wake of 32 deaths nationwide in 2025, including children, in ICE custody, with some attributed to violent encounters involving federal immigration agents.
House Bill 5494, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Wegela, would prohibit the state from conveying property to ICE and require deed restrictions barring any state-sold property from being used as a detention center. The bill also requires private contractors operating detention facilities on formerly state-owned land to forfeit the property back to the state if it is used for immigration detention.
Wegela's move follows scrutiny of ICE detention in Michigan, including the reopening of the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, which has sparked questions about transparency and medical care. The center reopened in June after years of operating as a private prison, with the death of a 56-year-old man prompting lawmakers and advocates to raise concerns.
The deaths and violent encounters involving federal immigration agents have been cited by Wegela as the impetus for his bill. "We're seeing targeted killings against those peacefully resisting ICE in their assault on Minneapolis," he said. "These detention centers should not exist... What we can do in Michigan is make it clear that ICE is not welcome here."
However, the proposal faces an uphill battle due to Republican control of the state House. Wegela acknowledged that unless House Republicans wake up to the reality of the threat posed by ICE, his bill will not move in the legislature.
The move comes as immigration attorneys and advocates in Michigan say enforcement tactics have grown increasingly aggressive and covert, with arrests occurring during routine traffic stops and marriage-based green card interviews. "These detention centers should not exist," Wegela said, calling on lawmakers to fight against what he sees as a rising tide of fascism.
like they're getting paid by the federal government or something. It's all about lining those pockets while our children are dying in custody... meanwhile, Rep Wegela's bill might actually make a difference, yay progress? The fact that Republicans are already saying they won't budge unless they "wake up" to the threat posed by ICE is rich coming from them. Let's just say I'm excited to see how many more lives need to be lost for them to take action 
! It's about time we stood up to ICE and protected the rights of our communities. I mean, 32 deaths in ICE custody is a staggering number - it's unacceptable that innocent people are losing their lives because of bureaucratic red tape or whatnot. 
!
just think about it, if states can ban ice detention centers that's like a big middle finger to the feds... some ppl might say its about "standing up" 2 ICE but i think its more about states being proactive about human rights & safety 
. rep wagle seems kinda passionate about this tho 
. anyway, i wonder how far this bill would go if it was passed 
.
We deserve better than to have our state property being used to torture and detain innocent people, especially kids 
This bill needs to pass ASAP so we can make Michigan a safe haven for everyone 
#JusticeForImmigrants
its time for us to take a stand and make our voices heard we need more ppl like Rep Wegela who are actually willing to fight for change 
it's like they're taking away our humanity and treating people like pawns in some sick game... anyway i'm all for Rep Wegela's bill, i think it's about time we stood up against that kind of injustice 
but sadly it sounds like the GOP is gonna make it super hard to pass this legislation 
what's really sad is that people are dying in those places and still no one seems to care about their well-being or human rights... we need more awareness and action on this issue ASAP 
you gotta wonder how ICE just gets away with treating ppl like that 
32 deaths in custody? that's insane 
it's about time someone stood up to ICE 
but ugh, the fact that republicans are making it hard for him to pass this bill 
We need to make sure our government reps are listening to the concerns of their constituents, especially when it comes to things like immigration. 
I feel bad for the families of those who lost their loved ones in ICE custody... it's just not right that we're having to deal with this kind of thing in our country 
. Let's keep the conversation going and see if we can come up with some compromises 
! Those deaths are just too many, especially kids 
It's not like we don't know how these detention centers work - they're basically prisons where people are held without due process or basic human rights. I'm all for transparency and medical care, btw 
. And the phrase "fascism" is being thrown around a lot lately... let's just say I think it's time we take a closer look at our enforcement tactics 
.
. They're trying to pass off this bill as a heroic move to protect lives, but really it's just another way for the government to keep us in line 
. What's next? Banning private contractors from working on state projects? It's all about controlling what we think and how we live 
. There's something fishy going on here, mark my words 
.
. We gotta take a stand against those ICE detention centers and make sure our state laws protect people from being treated unfairly 
and I'm like totally confused about this whole thing 
so like how can ICE just use our state property without even asking us? 
like what's going on with those detention centers in Michigan? 
are they even safe? 