1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

“Is there any sign of life?” “Have we heard a heartbeat?” “Does she feel any kicking?” “We don’t have the equipment to do that.” These are the words of a nurse calling 911 from inside an ICE detention center near Denver, as a four-months-pregnant woman bled and cried out in pain. This horrifying call isn’t an isolated incident—it reflects a national crisis. ICE detention centers are overwhelmed with unchecked medical emergencies and human rights violations. In just the first months of 2025, the 10 largest centers made nearly 400 emergency 911 calls: • Over 50 cardiac episodes • 26 seizures • 17 head injuries • 6 reports of sexual abuse—including by staff • Pregnancy complications in over half the centers And that’s only what made it to 911. Many emergencies never leave the gates. Clean water is being denied. Disabled detainees are left without wheelchairs or prosthetics. A 68-year-old man died in custody during transport in Georgia. Women have been subjected to invasive, non-consensual gynecological procedures. Private prison giants like CoreCivic and GEO run many of these centers—companies with long histories of abuse, deaths, and secrecy. Meanwhile, ICE has dismantled internal oversight and inspections, leaving no safe way to report harm. Michigan cannot stay silent. We urge you to: • Publicly condemn these human rights violations • Push for federal accountability and oversight • End any state or local cooperation with ICE detention • Ensure no Michigan funds or resources support this abuse • Stand with our immigrant communities and demand justice This is a matter of human dignity. We expect our state to lead with courage and compassion.