Overview

In February 2026, ICE purchased a commercial warehouse at 7525 Cogswell Street in Romulus, Michigan (Wayne County) without notice to the state, city, or public. The facility is planned to detain approximately 500 migrants and ICE claims it will bring 1,458 jobs and $33 million in tax revenue.

Key Details

• Address: 7525 Cogswell Street, Romulus, MI
• Purchase date: February 2026
• Planned capacity: ~500 beds
• Facility type: Regional processing center
• Claimed economic impact: 1,458 jobs, $33M tax revenue

Legal Fight

The Romulus facility is one of the most actively contested warehouse purchases (see romulus-mi-warehouse-fight):

• February 27, 2026: Michigan AG Dana Nessel demands ICE halt the plan
• March 24, 2026: City of Romulus and State of Michigan file lawsuit to block conversion

Lawsuit Allegations

The complaint alleges the warehouse is inappropriate for detention because:

• Located within a mile of an elementary school and middle school
• Abuts residential neighborhoods
• Lies within a floodplain that experienced flooding as recently as 2025
• Lacks adequate infrastructure (bathrooms, sewer system) for 500 detainees + staff

Political Dynamics

Governor Whitmer has been notably silent on the issue while AG Nessel has been the primary state-level opponent. This has drawn Axios coverage of the political split.

Sources

• ICE confirms purchase of detention facility in southeast Michigan — Michigan Public
• AG Nessel Demands ICE Halt Plan — Michigan AG Office
• Romulus, Michigan, and state sue to block proposed ICE detention facility — ClickOnDetroit
• AG Nessel Files Lawsuit Challenging Plan — Michigan AG Office
• Gov. Whitmer silent as AG Nessel challenges proposed ICE facility — Axios Detroit