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City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero said a proposed declaration of opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies spearheaded by city activists is ultimately ineffective and could put an unnecessary spotlight on vulnerable communities in Detroit.
The activists urged the council to reject cooperation with federal law enforcement in response to Trump deploying U.S. Marines and National Guard troops to squash protests in Los Angeles. Some asked Detroit to declare itself as a sanctuary city, formally limiting its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies.
“When I see a majority of white folks asking me to make the city a sanctuary city, they’re not going to be the ones impacted when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement comes into our communities,” Santiago-Romero said. “Are they ready to come out and put their lives on the line to protect residents? I think this is much more nuanced and we need to be strategic.”
Residents representing several anti-fascist organizations asked the council to pass a resolution drafted by activists.
It would declare Detroit’s opposition to deploying federal military forces, unless an emergency is determined by the council, mayor and governor of Michigan. It also opposes “any cooperation with any plan to alter police-community relations” through a recent presidential executive order.
“I’m deeply concerned that we underestimate how comprehensive the forces that have been marshalled to do what they are doing, just using immigration as a first step, but creating an environment where everything in this country is up for grabs,” said Jim Perkinson, an activist and professor of Social Ethics at Ecumenical Theological Seminary. “If we do not start now to draw lines in the sand and push back, I think the country will be gone within a couple of years.”
The group handed the draft resolution to council members just before the meeting. It wasn’t on the agenda and no formal action was taken.
Santiago-Romero, who represents immigrant communities in Southwest Detroit, said it’s important to be honest with residents about the limits of local officials to prevent federal enforcement.
“I am thinking about protecting residents and what that actually means,” Santiago-Romero said. “I don’t think we fight fascism through resolutions. Local governments are being targeted in real life and there are states that are criminalizing local elected officials for even speaking out against what Trump is trying to do.”
Assistant Police Chief Franklin Hayes said nothing has changed since Trump issued an executive order in April aimed at “unleashing” law enforcement with federal support. Hayes said Detroit has policies preventing police from enforcing immigration laws.
Santiago-Romero said she “wholeheartedly” supports sanctuary policies, but those are already in place in Detroit.
Protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles started Friday and intensified after federal officers fired pepper balls at demonstrators outside a federal court building. The weekend was marked by clashes between police and protesters.
Officers deployed tear gas, pepper balls and other tools to control crowds that threw rocks and bottles, lit fireworks, set fire to self-driving cars and temporarily blocked a major highway.
Trump has reportedly deployed 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area. No deaths have been reported as of Tuesday.
The White House argues it took action because California leaders were unable to reign in protesters. But California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argue the unrest was under control and said the arrival of federal troops would unnecessarily escalate the situation.
Detroit activist Abayomi Azikaway said it’s “essential” for the City Council to take a clear position against what is going on in Los Angeles.
“They have unjustifiably deployed the National Guard and Marines to prevent people from demonstrating against the impending neo-fascism that’s being imposed here in the United states. None of us will be safe. All of us must stand up and organize and form coalitions to stop what the White House is doing.”
Detroiters are organizing a June 14 rally at Clark Park as part of a national mobilization against “would-be kings.” The event starts at 1 p.m., and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib is scheduled to speak at 2:45 p.m.
“What is happening in Los Angeles and elsewhere in our country at the hands of our president is a violation of the rights of citizens and non-citizens alike,” said Lewis Novak. “We cannot allow such a travesty to happen here in Detroit. We cannot let our city stand silent.”
Former Police Chief and mayoral candidate James Craig recently voiced support for Trump deploying federal forces to Los Angeles. Santiago-Romero said it’s concerning that other mayoral candidates seeking to lead the city haven’t said much of anything about their stance on protecting immigrants.
“I’m waiting to see what happens past the (August) primary,” she said. “I’m being bombarded every day with someone who is being deported. I’m addressing the issues in real-time. I really hope that candidates have a plan and they’re able to tell us what they’re going to do.”
What page are we on?
Today’s notebook covers the June 10 formal session.
Dig into the agenda, read Detroit Documenter notes or watch the recording for more details.
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The council declared June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Immigrant Heritage Month and Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Riverfront parks will close for fireworks
Access to city parks along the Detroit riverfront will not be extended beyond normal operating hours for the annual Ford Fireworks on June 23.
Last year, residents objected to closing parks at 10 p.m. as usual instead of keeping them open later for residents who want to watch the show. Council President Mary Sheffield said she wants families to access the parks, but acknowledged the Detroit Police Department is responsible for creating the safety plan.
Hayes said police don’t have enough resources to extend park hours beyond 10 p.m. but the city could explore partnerships with corporate entities to provide security coverage.
The council also authorized a special curfew that prohibits unaccompanied minors within a specific boundary between 8 p.m. on June 23 and 6 a.m. the following morning. Parks within the boundary will close early at 8 p.m.
The boundary stretches from the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre west to the Lodge Freeway and from I-75 south to the river.
Belle Isle opens for fireworks viewing at 2 p.m. and will close once the island park reaches capacity.
Landlords get paid to achieve compliance
Detroit landlords can receive a stipend for achieving compliance with city regulations.
A new training program will teach landlords who own single-family rental homes how to make repairs, address lead hazards and secure a Certificate of Compliance with the city. Landlords can receive $10,000 for each property that achieves compliance, up to $30,000 total.
Rico Razo, chief of Home Repair and Neighborhood Services, said the program is aimed at “mom and pop” landlords who own five or fewer rental properties. It was created through a $2.5 million budget allocation sponsored by Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway, Razo said.
Whitfield-Calloway said the payments are a “huge motivator for these landlords to get in compliance.” Razo expects 150 properties to achieve compliance through the program, which could start training landlords next month.
The council unanimously approved a $1.8 million contract with lan C Young & Associates to distribute the payments.
Safe streets in 48217
The council extended a $1.45 million contract to address street safety issues in the 48217 ZIP Code.
KEO & Associates was hired to design and build streetscape improvements including traffic calming measures and non-motorized connections. Improvements include sidewalk repairs, speed humps, new signage and pavement markings, and improved non-motorized access to Piwok Park and Kemeny Park.
Detroit’s 2022 Streets for People transportation master plan identified a network of over 300 miles of streets across the city that should prioritize slower traffic speeds and pedestrian safety. In 48217, that includes Beatrice, Miami and Deacon streets.
Construction is expected to start this summer and finish by the end of the year.