Sanctuary Cities and Federal Enforcement

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison has suspended two officers and asked the city’s Board of Police Commissioners to terminate them after they allegedly contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection during routine traffic stops, which he says violates long‑standing department policy against participating in federal immigration enforcement. Bettison told local media the officers’ actions led to detentions and ran counter to a core strategy of maintaining community trust in immigrant neighborhoods. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., publicly backed the move, while Detroit Councilwoman Mary Waters said using an accent as a basis to call immigration authorities amounted to 'biased policing' that the city will not tolerate. A retired assistant chief agreed that contacting Border Patrol clearly breaches policy but questioned whether firing is consistent with past discipline, highlighting internal debate over proportional punishment. Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration reiterated that the Detroit Police Department 'does not, in any way, engage in federal immigration enforcement,' underscoring that the city is doubling down on a sanctuary-style stance even as the Trump administration pressures localities to cooperate more closely with ICE and CBP.