Jewish Activists Rally in Southfield Against ICE Office Lease
Over 60 Jewish activists protested ICE’s legal offices in Southfield as part of nationwide demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement operations.
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN — More than 60 Jewish community activists from Southeast Michigan gathered Thursday to protest the federal lease allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate its legal offices in the One Towne Square building.
The demonstration was part of a nationwide day of Jewish action against ICE, with 16 similar events held across the country. The Southfield protest targeted the U.S. General Services Administration lease that houses ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.
Multiple Organizations Unite for Protest
Six Jewish and community organizations coordinated the event: the Southfield Neighbors Action Committee, Detroit Jews for Justice, Lift Up Southfield!, The Shalom Center, Jews for a Secular Democracy and the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism.
“I was privileged to join nearly a thousand clergy during the height of the ICE occupation of Minneapolis,” said Rabbi Alana Alpert of Congregation T’chiyah. “Faith leaders and organizers taught us that we must fight ICE in every possible way — neighborhoods and cities and states must demonstrate that we are inhospitable to these criminals. And they taught us the songs that have been carrying them through this terrible time of state-sanctioned terror.”
Ongoing Opposition to ICE Presence
Rabbi Ariana Silverman of Downtown Synagogue also spoke at the demonstration, addressing the crowd about the federal immigration enforcement presence in their community.
The ICE office lease has faced sustained criticism and protest from lawmakers, faith leaders and community members since February, when reports first emerged about the federal agency’s plans to use the Southfield building. Previous protests and statements from officials have repeatedly challenged the presence of immigration enforcement operations in the suburban Detroit community.
Part of Broader National Movement
Thursday’s Southfield rally represented one component of coordinated Jewish community opposition to ICE operations nationwide. The 16 simultaneous events across the country demonstrated organized resistance to federal immigration enforcement policies within Jewish communities.
The protest highlighted ongoing tensions between local communities and federal immigration enforcement, particularly regarding the use of commercial buildings to house ICE operations in residential and business districts.
Organizers have continued their opposition efforts since the lease arrangement was first reported in February, maintaining pressure on federal officials and building owners regarding the ICE presence in Southfield.
