ICE operation in Detroit sparks protests and arrests
A Honduran immigrant has been arrested in Detroit. Two activists have been arrested for trying to block the operation. Local police defend their actions.
Photo taken from: Unsplash
A joint federal agency operation in Detroit resulted in the arrest of Honduran Marcos Fabián Arita Bautista, an undocumented immigrant with two prior deportations, and the arrest of two protesters who attempted to impede the operation.
Arrest and police support in Detroit
ICE and Detroit Police confirmed that Arita was located after fleeing a previous checkpoint and taking refuge in a residence on the west side, near Joy and Livernois Streets. With an "emergency plan" and a court order, they arrested him without resistance. The authorities declared that Arita had been deported in 2015 and 2018 from Texas, and had committed a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania in 2022 before re-entering the country.
Police were called in to "maintain order" during the operation, following reports of protesters attempting to block a federal patrol van. Two people were arrested: one for obstructing officers and another for damaging a vehicle. At one point, police used pepper spray to disperse those who came too close to the scout van.
Protests and community controversy against ICE
Dozens of residents and activists gathered at the scene following an alert issued by the People's Movement Assembly via Migra Watch. Some protesters shouted slogans such as "Let him go!" and "They are terrorizing our community!" while others attempted to block government vehicles. The Detroit Will Breathe group, which collaborated on the protest, defended the right to mobilize against what they described as "excessive raids."
Debate on the role of the local police
The incident sparked a heated debate: some City Council members questioned the Detroit Police Department's support for ICE, claiming it contradicts its internal policies. Acting DPD Chief Charles Fitzgerald clarified that they do not perform immigration enforcement duties, but rather ensure public safety upon request. Activists and residents, however, interpret this as direct collaboration with federal agents.
Arita remains in ICE custody and faces final deportation proceedings. The arrested protesters could face federal charges such as obstruction and property damage. Meanwhile, the Detroit City Council has demanded body camera footage to review the police role and clarify their involvement.
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