Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched an online form for residents around the state to report federal immigration enforcement activity, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to draw attention from the public.
The form, launched Wednesday, Feb. 4, allows residents to submit information about incidents where ICE and other federal authorities are conducting immigration activities to Nessel’s office. Residents will be asked to submit details like what occurred, the number of individuals involved, what agencies they appear to be affiliated with, any tools or weapons observed and the time and location of an incident. Nessel’s office said the form will instruct how to submit videos, either via a link to a social media post or the video itself. Photos can be submitted by email.
Nessel’s office said it has received over 5,000 emails from the public regarding immigration activity, although it did not specify in what time frame.
“What we are seeing from federal immigration agents across the country has been deeply concerning,” Nessel said in a Feb. 4 statement. “In Michigan, we do not, and will not tolerate harmful, illegal actions against our residents, and I will not hesitate to uphold the law. That includes investigating unlawful actions perpetrated by a federal officer in our state.”
In an emailed statement attributed to an unnamed spokesperson, ICE said Feb. 5 it “continues to enforce the immigration laws of the United States as set forth by Congress.”
“Every day our officers carry out their sworn duty in accordance with law, policy and procedure. We welcome and encourage any law enforcement agency in the state of Michigan to work alongside us in the interest of public safety and national security,” the statement said.
Nessel’s criticism of ICE comes weeks after federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minnesota amidst a heightened surge of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Renee Good, 37, was shot and killed on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed on Jan. 24. The deaths have sparked outcry in Minnesota and across the country, where protesters have gathered to decry the immigration tactics of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Nessel’s office said the form may be submitted anonymously, although officials may share information with third parties, like other law enforcement agencies. Using the form to file a report does not generate a legal complaint or trigger litigation on the filers’ behalf, the attorney general’s office said.
In Michigan, Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to limit the scope of and some of the tactics ICE and other immigration agents can use in the state, although the bills are not likely to become law.
Since the killing of Pretti, the Trump administration has made changes to its immigration approach in Minnesota. Border Czar Tom Homan, who assumed control of operations in late January, announced Feb. 4 that 700 federal immigration agents were leaving Minnesota. About 2,000 federal personnel remain.
Public opinion of ICE has sank in recent weeks, polling shows. A Marist College poll conducted between Jan. 27-30 found 65% of those surveyed think ICE has gone too far in enforcing immigration laws.
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
You can reach Arpan at alobo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan AG wants residents to report immigration enforcement activity
Reporting by Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
