Advocacy for Immigrants Rights

As a social worker, I take my vow to protect the most vulnerable very seriously.

Here is some data to be concerned about:

Immigrant enforcement concerns are already in Michigan. 

• The state is home to the largest immigration detention center in the Midwest, located in Baldwin. 

• Community members in the southeast part of the state have been demanding transparency and protesting the more than 165 charter flights operated by private Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contractors that left Willow Run Airport in 2025. 

• Just this week in Ypsilanti, ICE officials were reported waiting near school bus stops, targeting families as they picked up their children from school. These actions deepen fear and mistrust within communities and place families—particularly children—at risk of lasting harm.

Per NASW-Mi: “As social workers, we are guided by the belief that every person has inherent dignity and worth. Practices rooted in intimidation, excessive force, or fear directly undermine this principle and cause lasting harm—not only to individuals and families, but to entire communities. When state systems cause harm, it is our ethical responsibility to speak out.”

The following are trusted organizations that are recommended:

• Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) – Immigration legal services and advocacy 

• Justice for Our Neighbors–Michigan – Free immigration legal assistance

• ACLU of Michigan – Civil rights advocacy and know-your-rights information

• ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services)

• Michigan United – Community organizing and support

• Freedom House Detroit – Services for asylum seekers and survivors of persecution

• WICIR (Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights)

Social workers have been encouraged by our professional organization to build relationships with these organizations and to stay connected to local rapid-response and mutual aid efforts, and I intend to follow my code of ethics in doing so.