Elected officials gathered near Southfield’s Corporate Drive and Coral Gables on Tuesday to voice their opposition to a federal lease that will allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement administrative staff to operate from office space in the city.
Despite accommodating only bureaucrats rather than enforcement officers, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-MI, Michigan state Sens. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, and a host of Democrats were on-hand to register their disapproval.
Tlaib called the rented office an expansion of an “assault on our communities,” asserting that the recently announced ICE detention center in Romulus serves to “cage hundreds of our neighbors.”
ICE is attempting to expand their assault on our communities by leasing offices across the country, including in Southfield in our district. It’s not a coincidence that ICE is opening this office at the same time as a new warehouse prison in Romulus to cage hundreds of our… pic.twitter.com/dUbIkOdCYK
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) February 17, 2026
According to the online news source Bridge last month, more than 3,000 illegal immigrants were detained in Michigan in 2025. “Some migrants detained in Michigan last year were charged with serious crimes, including murder (six people), sexual assault (26 people), and assault (59 people).
Among those was illegal immigrant Brandon Ortiz-Vite in Grand Rapids. Ortiz-Vite was deported during the waning days of Trump’s first administration, but reentered the country as a gotaway after President Joe Biden took office. After his second illegal entry into the U.S., Ortiz-Vite returned to Grand Rapids where he shot and killed Ruby Garcia, dumped her body in downtown Grand Rapids, and stole her car.
Additionally, Michigan taxpayers shelled out over $700,000 to “support newcomer integration” in 2024 through grants to “ethnic and community based organizations” that cater to immigrant populations. The figure is bound to be higher as illegal immigration rose 775% between 2021 and 2024, according to MarketWatch. The Federation for American Immigration Reform estimated at that time that actual cost to state taxpayers is $1.12 billion annually to cover the cost of illegal immigrants’ education, medical bills, and SNAP benefits as well as other forms of public assistance.
The City of Southfield confirmed earlier that the United States General Services Administration has leased space at One Towne Square, a privately owned office building east of M-10 and south of Interstate 696. The office will support administrative and legal services. According to the city, enforcement officers will not operate out of the location, which is owned by REDICO.
In a public statement, the city noted that One Towne Square is “a privately owned commercial property that is properly zoned for general office use,” adding that under Michigan law and local ordinance, the city does not have authority to approve or deny private tenancy decisions when proposed use complies with zoning and regulatory requirements.
REDICO stated that the lease “explicitly prohibits” law enforcement or detention activities on the premises, though the General Services Administration may use the space for its departments consistent with the lease terms. The company said safety and security of the surrounding community, employees and tenants remains its priority.
Tlaib criticized the federal expansion of ICE facilities in Michigan, stating, “Across the country, people are coming together and fighting to prevent this massive expansion of ICE’s network of abuse and cruelty. We must organize and use every tool at our disposal to keep ICE out of our neighborhoods.”
We rallied today with officials, clergy and residents to demand ICE Out of Southfield.
Our message is clear: We do not want ICE to terrorize Southfield, Oakland County, or the State of Michigan. pic.twitter.com/TYBVaJsBAO
— Jeremy Moss (@JeremyAllenMoss) February 17, 2026
The Southfield lease comes as ICE pursues additional office space and detention capacity nationwide. Congress approved $45 billion last summer for expanded immigration detention operations. ICE is currently holding more than 70,000 detainees across its facilities, contracted jails and private prisons, according to agency data.
Democrats of all stripes came together in Southfield today to oppose a new ICE office in the city. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit plus Southfield’s Rep. Jason Hoskins and Jeremy Moss. Michigan Regent Jordan Acker also spoke.
— Sam Robinson (@samueljrob) February 17, 2026
Local officials in multiple states have said federal authority limits their ability to block such projects, citing the Constitution’s supremacy clause. While some communities have passed moratoriums or resolutions opposing detention centers, courts have historically recognized federal immunity in certain land-use matters.
At this time, the Southfield site is designated for administrative functions only, and no detention operations have been announced for the property.
