Immigrant advocates ratchet up pressure on ICE to respond to harassment

Advocates for immigrants are stepping up the pressure on the Detroit office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – or ICE – to respond to allegations of harassment.

Late last month, Ruben Torres was driving home from work when he was stopped by an agent in an unmarked vehicle on the Lodge Freeway. He says he was not shown a warrant or given a reason for the stop. He says he was asked to show a visa and birth certificate.

"I’m a U.S. citizen. I shouldn’t have to carry my birth certificate around just because my last name is Torres."

Another person on the press call organized by the Alliance for Immigrants’ Rights and Reform recounted a warrantless raid on his home. Last week, the Alliance criticized the agency for conducting an enforcement action near a Detroit school, in violation of ICE policy.

In a statement, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it takes any allegations of abuse of power very seriously. The agency has a meeting scheduled with the Alliance to discuss the allegations tomorrow.