Filed Date: March 24, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding in progress
On March 24, 2026, the State of Michigan and the City of Romulus filed suit against the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the DHS Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Acting Director of ICE, Todd M. Lyons in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Plaintiffs challenged DHS and ICE's February 2026 purchase of a commercial warehouse in Romulus, Michigan, which the agencies intended to convert into an immigration detention center for 500 detainees without providing notice to state or city officials. Plaintiffs alleged that the warehouse was fundamentally inappropriate for detention purposes due to multiple deficiencies, including its proximity to schools and residential areas, its location in a frequently flooding floodplain, inadequate infrastructure with only six bathrooms and insufficient sewage capacity, and its position on a three-lane road incapable of handling the anticipated traffic. They further contended that DHS failed to consider existing prison facilities as required by federal law and neglected to conduct mandatory environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or consult with local officials as mandated by the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (ICA). The complaint brought seven counts under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), challenging violations of federal detention placement requirements, failure to consider existing facilities, NEPA violations, and ICA violations. Plaintiffs sought comprehensive relief, including declaratory judgment, injunctive relief to prevent the facility's conversion and operation, retention of jurisdiction for compliance monitoring, and attorneys' fees and costs.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Claire Pollard (3/27/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72584041/parties/state-of-michigan-v-united-states-department-of-homeland-security/
Grey, Jonathan J.C. (Michigan)
Giovanatti, Neil Anthony (Michigan)
Greco, David F. (Michigan)
Houston, Benjamin Charles (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72584041/state-of-michigan-v-united-states-department-of-homeland-security/
Last updated March 29, 2026, 3:06 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 24, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Case Details
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Michigan 2:26-cv-10968
Available Documents:
Case Summary of State of Michigan v. United States Department of Homeland Security, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47965/ (last updated 3/27/2026).