Hundreds of residents demand Southfield block ICE office; council adopts resolution but stops short of banning lease

Hundreds of residents urged the Southfield City Council on Feb. 23 to take stronger action against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement administrative office leased at One Town Square, telling elected officials that a statement of values is insufficient and asking the city to press Redico to cancel the lease and to bar ICE from city property and polling places.

The meeting began with the council reading and adopting a resolution affirming Southfield’s commitment to community safety and civil rights and clarifying that the Southfield Police Department “does not participate in immigration status investigations or enforce federal immigration law,” a position the mayor read into the record before the council approved the resolution unanimously.

Public comment then filled the bulk of the evening. Elena Berg, a community liaison for Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, described local constituent services and federal funding for Southfield. Dozens of residents followed, focusing on the ICE lease and its local effects: Nadav Pace Greenapple urged the council to ban ICE from city property and polling places and to ask Redico to terminate its lease; Wanda Staton and others asked whether the city has ordinances or posted guidance (body‑worn camera requirements, sanctuary policies) that would protect residents’ rights during federal enforcement activity; organizers from Detroit Jews for Justice and the Southfield Neighbors Action Committee asked the council to send a letter to Redico and to publicly oppose any collaboration between local police and ICE.

Several speakers described alleged abuses conducted by ICE in other jurisdictions and argued that administrative offices enable unlawful detention and surveillance even when not used for on‑site arrests. “This office is so incredibly dangerous,” Joshua Johnson said, summarizing reporting he cited about administrative warrants and nonjudicial entries. Multiple residents asked the council to take concrete legal or economic steps—from zoning enforcement to public pressure on the landlord—to make the city inhospitable to ICE operations.

The Southfield Police Chief addressed the meeting and reiterated department policy, saying the department does not inquire about immigration status, does not enforce federal immigration actions and will not share local law‑enforcement data with ICE. The chief encouraged residents to call the Southfield Police Department during any federal interaction so officers can document the event with body‑worn cameras.

Mayor Seiber and other council members told residents they share concerns about ICE’s actions and pledged to explore legal avenues and coordination with county and other local governments. The mayor said he had asked Redico to cancel the lease and that Redico declined, noting that cancellation would require a lease violation or nonpayment. He emphasized that the city has not entered any 287(g) or similar agreement with ICE and said council members have been pursuing options, including reviewing ordinances and legal tools used in other municipalities.

The meeting produced no immediate ban or ordinance change; instead, residents won a public pledge that the council will continue exploring options and a public restatement of police policy. Several speakers said they will continue organizing, including planned protests and a March 11 demonstration at One Town Square. The council recessed for 15 minutes and then continued with routine business, including appointments and grant approvals.

What’s next: Council members said they will continue conversations with legal counsel and county officials and may consider additional ordinance or policy proposals; residents plan continued protests and outreach to Redico and county officials.