Romulus council votes to join state lawsuit opposing proposed ICE detention center at 7525 Cogswell

The Romulus City Council voted March 23 to authorize the city to join the Michigan Attorney General's office in filing suit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over a proposed detention facility at 7525 Cogswell.

City Attorney David Greco read the prepared resolution and said the city would join the State in pursuing litigation opposing the Cogswell site. The motion, moved on the floor and seconded by council members, passed by roll call.

Joan Pence, speaking during the public comment period on behalf of Western Wayne Indivisible, told the council the community and elected leadership did not support the project as described and offered the group's help to organize public forums and advocate for transparency. "We stand ready to support your efforts to reclaim control over your community," Pence said.

Council members did not debate substantive legal strategy on the record during the meeting; the resolution authorizes the mayor and clerk to execute legal documents and participate with the Attorney General's office. The attorney said the city had met with the Attorney General's office and that language in the complaint was finalized shortly before the meeting.

The resolution does not itself halt any federal permitting or construction; it commits the city to joining the State's legal challenge. The transcript does not specify litigation timelines, court filings already made, or any expected hearing dates.

The council approved the resolution by roll call vote; the mayor and city attorney were authorized to proceed under the resolution as read.