Detroit Police Chief Suspends, Intends to Fire Officers for Cooperating with ICE

Chief's Actions Show Importance of SNL's Local 4 Local Visits to Police

In a story making national headlines, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said he plans to fire a DPD office and a sergeant, who called ICE after stopping two vehicles in separate incidents over the last two months. In both instances, the vehicles were stopped for traffic violations and when ICE arrived, they detained the drivers. The Board of Police Commissioners voted 10-0 to on Thursday Feb. 19, to approve Chief Bettison's request to first suspend the officers without pay.

In February 2025, at the start of SNL’s “Local 4 Local" campaign, leaders met with Chief Bettison on the issue of DPD and ICE cooperation. The chief stated then and numerous times since, that the Detroit Police Department does not coordinate with ICE and that it is against DPD policy for officers to initiate contact or request assistance from ICE.

Since publicly stating his intention to fire the sergeant and officer involved, Bettison has been both praised and criticized for his actions, including Michigan Republican House Speaker Matt Hall, who called Bettison’s actions “unacceptable” and warned that this could impact State funding for the City.

Given this climate, its more important than ever for SNL leaders to continue scheduling visits with local Police Chiefs and County Sheriffs, urging them not to sign 287 agreements (allowing local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE).

With the massive expansion in federal funding to expand ICE operations, including incentivizing 287 agreements and building new detention facilities in Romulus, Southfield and other areas, Strangers No Longer must ramp up the Local 4 Local campaign, asking every circle to meet with their local officials to keep the pressure on them not to use local law enforcement to enforce unjust and at times brutal immigration policies.

For help in organizing a visit or for information on the Local 4 Local campaign, contact: o.peralis@strangersnolonger.org

Next Circle Leadership Assembly

Sat. February 21, 2026, 9 -10:30am

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 13500 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI

Entrance to parking lot off Coolidge, just north of Ten Mile Road.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GROW YOUR CIRCLE OR FORM A NEW ONE!

More SNL Circles are forming across the State. If you are having trouble getting people in your parish /organization interested in joining your Circle of Support or if you want to form a new Circle, now is a good time to invite a speaker to your church or organization. Members of our Immigrant Circles of Support are eager to share their story and its one of the best ways to reach people.

CONTACT SNL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A SPEAKER!

sakmar.g@strangersnolonger.org

SNL Joins Eight Women Religious Orders Calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Strangers No Longer joing the leaders of eight Catholic Women Religious Orders to issue a powerful public statement on February 19, calling for comprehensive immigration reform, stating: "We are appalled and broken-hearted by the immense suffering being inflicted on our migrant sisters and brothers. Scripture calls us to lament and to respond." The statement called for an immediate end to current ICE practices including: mass deportation of children and families; masked officers and their use of violence, mass incarcerations and over crowded detention centers, racial profiling and bans on the entry of refugees and asylum seekers.

The 8 Religious Orders issuing the joint statement, along with SNL, include: Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mayr (IHM), Congregation of St. Joseph, Sisters of Providence, Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, Sisters of St. Francis, Servants of Jesus, Sisters Home Visitors of Mary, and the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.

"We call for the establishment of a comprehensive immigration system that recognizes the richness and value that immigrants have historically brought and continue to bring to our country, and that offers an accessible pathway to legal status."

The statement also urged Congress to withhold all funding for the Department of Homeland Security (with the exception of FEMA) pending a complete overhaul of ICE and Customs Border Protection and to reject any additional funding related to the expansion of immigration enforcement until meaningful accountability measures are in place. The statement ends with a call for transformation:

"We believe that prayer and contemplation, both personal and congregational, bring before each one of us the invitation to conversion, to a change of heart. We invite all people to join us in prayer and action that will lead to a transformation of our hearts and our world."

Read Full Statement

Attorney General Nessel Launches a Reporting Tool for

Immigration Action In Michigan

The Michigan Department of the Attorney General has created a form for individuals to report federal immigration government action in the Michigan. This form helps them understand what is happening in communities across the state and assess their potential impact.

The form is now available in multiple languages to increase accessibility. In addition to English, individuals can complete it in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, and French.

Access the form here:

https://forms.office.com/g/T6VLSzXRyE

Please share this form through your newsletters, social media, direct outreach, and any other distribution channels as appropriate. Expanding language access helps ensure that more community members are able to safely and confidently share information.

Dana Nessel, Michigan's Attorney General, announced the move at a Community Roundtable attended by a Strangers No Longer delegation of 10 leaders. Sr. Atracta Kelly, OP (Adrian Dominican Sisters), Fr. Michael Quaine (St. Michael Sterling Heights), Fr. Mark George, SJ (U of D Mercy), Fr. Bob Scullin, SJ (Manresa Retreat) and Ms. Karen Seefelt (Christ the King Parish) gave remarks. Read more about it in a recent press release.

News and Resources

Let's Fast So Our Hearts Can Change: A Spiritual Journey through the Movement of Lent , Dominican Center: Spirituality for Mission, March 25, 2026, 7:00–8:00 PM. REGISTER HERE to receive Zoom link. See Bulletin insert, flyer.