Immigrant rights groups slam Detroit Mayor Duggan for using the 'I-word'

DETROIT — Nine Michigan organizations that work with immigrant communities said Wednesday they "denounce" Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan for describing undocumented immigrants as "illegal" a week ago when asked about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city.

"The Mayor’s use of the I-word is inappropriate, dehumanizing, and an insult to Detroit’s longstanding immigrant communities," according to a press release issued Wednesday by the groups, which include the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and 1 Michigan for the Global Majority.

Duggan was unapologetic, describing the Wednesday criticism as "political correctness" and saying the groups' larger concern stems from Detroit's longstanding policy of cooperating with federal immigration officials regarding the detention of undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

“During my term as Mayor, Detroit has been a welcoming city, where we support the success of immigrants," the mayor said in a Wednesday email.

“But when Detroit police make a criminal arrest and DPD gets federal notification that the person in custody is in the country illegally, we should not and do not shield you from federal enforcement.

"Groups who oppose this position are criticizing me today over the political correctness of my statements, but I do not apologize for providing a clear explanation of Detroit’s position. It is a position we have followed consistently through the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations."

Duggan made similar comments last week when he spoke to reporters at the 2025 Detroit Policy Conference sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber. The mayor was explaining the city's policy of working with federal immigration authorities, including U.S. Border Patrol and ICE.

"ICE has a list of who they're looking for who are illegal immigrants, who have committed crimes," Duggan said last week. "And when one of the people we've arrested comes up, they will contact us. And if we have them in custody at the Detroit detention center, we will turn them over to ICE."

The immigrant rights groups pointed out that one of the criteria for a "welcoming city" is that “local government leadership does not make public statements directly attacking individuals or groups on the basis of their immigration status.” The term "welcoming city" is a title a municipality can earn through a non-profit called Welcoming America.

"Mayor Duggan has violated that tenet. At a time when immigrant Detroiters are under attack and need the support of their elected officials, the Mayor’s comments are unacceptable," the joint statement said.

The groups called the use of the word "illegal" the "I-Word," arguing that it fuels racial discrimination and doesn't respect due process when someone is accused of being in the country illegally but hasn't finished going through the legal system.

The tussle comes as the Trump administration has vowed to conduct raids and deportations targeting immigrants with violent criminal records who are found to be in the country illegally. Many immigrant groups contended that federal officials will end up targeting those far beyond violent criminals.

The fight also comes after Duggan last month launched an independent campaign for Michigan governor in 2026, deciding to avoid the Democratic primary election.

“Detroit’s immigrant community has for decades been a backbone of the city’s economy and vibrant cultural life,” said Jasmine Rivera, co-executive director of the group Rising Voices. “Mayor Duggan’s use of divisive language during this time of crisis when our families fear separation from each other not only dehumanizes immigrants and refugees, it also serves to fuel the anti-immigrant and anti-Asian rhetoric and violence that our communities faced during the first Trump administration."

The groups said about 38,000 foreign-born residents are living in Detroit, hailing from Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa. The U.S. Census Bureau said about 6% of the city's 633,200 residents are foreign born. Nearly half of Detroit immigrants are naturalized citizens and approximately 11% of Detroit households speak a language other than English at home, according to the immigrant groups.

“I am grateful to my ancestors who had the courage to leave their families and countries of origin to start new lives here in the City of Detroit,” said Christine Sauvé, policy and communications manager at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center.

“My great-grandfather came as an unaccompanied minor, without a visa or resources, and was able to prosper by starting as a sanitation worker for the City of Detroit and eventually opening his own business. There are thousands of similar brave individuals present in the city today, people with and without authorized immigration status who have fled poverty, violence, and conflict to share their talent and culture with fellow Detroiters. I would hate for our Mayor to turn his back on all these individuals contributing to the greatness of our city.”

Other groups that joined the statement denouncing Dugan were the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs, American Citizens for Justice, the Caribbean Community Services Center, MI Poder and One Michigan for Immigrant Rights.

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