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ICE agents accused of 'fishing' for undocumented people in Hamtramck

Posted at 6:32 PM, Jul 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-05 18:32:33-04

A Muslim civil rights group is accusing agents for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of racially profiling, going door-to-door at some homes and making traffic stops in Hamtramck.

"What it appears is that they are fishing to see if they can find undocumented individuals out in the community," said Amy Doukoure, attorney for The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) - Michigan. 

Doukoure said there were pictures and video on social media of the interactions that they no longer have access to because they've been deleted. But they are still alerting people to be aware of their rights if they are stopped by immigration agents. 

Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski said she asked the police department about the rumors of ICE agents conducting random searches, but police officials were not aware of that happening. 

Khaalid Walls, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Northeast Regional Communications Director, released the following statement to 7 Action News Thursday:  

ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.

In Fiscal Year 2017, 92 percent of all aliens arrested by ICE had criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, were an immigration fugitive, or were an illegal re-entrant. However, ICE no longer exempts classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States.

ICE deportation officers do not conduct sweeps or raids that target aliens indiscriminately. ICE’s enforcement actions are targeted and lead driven. ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement in compliance with federal law and agency policy. During targeted enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE.