NASW-MI Expresses Solidarity and Calls for Accountability in Immigration Enforcement
Thursday, January 29, 2026
NASW-MI Expresses Solidarity and Calls for Accountability in Immigration Enforcement
The Board of Directors of the NASW-Michigan Chapter (NASW-MI) extends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and communities of Renee Nicole Good, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, Keith Porter, Silverio Villegas González, Jaime Alanis, Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, and Josué Castro Rivera, whose lives were tragically cut short during recent federal immigration enforcement operations.
The circumstances surrounding their deaths have reverberated across the nation, raising urgent concerns about the use of deadly force by federal law enforcement personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol. We acknowledge that violence and systemic oppression have long and disproportionately impacted Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Today, these injustices are being further exposed through increased visibility and media coverage. As these realities come into sharper focus, it is vital that we continue to support and uplift communities that have been marginalized and overpoliced for generations. Our commitment remains rooted in advocating for justice and equity and in centering the voices of those most affected.
These deaths have shaken communities far beyond Minnesota and have intensified serious, long-standing concerns about the conduct of ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies—particularly the use of force during enforcement operations. The loss of life under these circumstances is unacceptable and demands accountability.
NASW-MI stands in solidarity with the people of Minnesota and with communities across the country experiencing fear, grief, and trauma as a result of aggressive immigration enforcement. We recognize the pain of those who no longer feel safe in their own neighborhoods, workplaces, or public spaces. We also stand with those calling for transparency, justice, and meaningful change.
Immigrant enforcement concerns are already in Michigan as well.
- 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.
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.
NASW-MI calls for independent, transparent investigations into the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as a comprehensive review of immigration enforcement practices that put lives at risk and erode public trust. Public safety cannot be achieved through violence, and justice cannot exist without accountability.
Michigan Resources for Immigrant Communities
Social workers in Michigan can refer individuals and families to the following trusted organizations:
We encourage social workers to build relationships with these organizations and to stay connected to local rapid-response and mutual aid efforts.
NASW-MN Resources for Communities Affected by Federal Violence
NASW-MN has partnered with community organizations to identify those best equipped to provide support during this crisis. We are sharing this list for anyone seeking support, looking to get involved, or interested in making a donation. Click here to learn more
Caring for Social Workers
We also recognize that social workers are affected by these events. Bearing witness to violence, injustice, and community suffering can take a real toll. We urge social workers to lean on one another, seek supervision and peer support, set boundaries around media exposure, and access mental health care when needed. Caring for ourselves is part of our ethical responsibility to do this work well.
NASW-MN is also offering Member Processing Circles as a safe, supportive space for members to process emotions, connect with one another, and share resources.
Upcoming Circles (Free & Open to All NASW Members):
• Tuesday 2/3 — 12–1 PM CT
• Wednesday 2/4 — 5:30–6:30 PM CT
Register here:
https://bit.ly/ProcessingCircles
We will be scheduling additional dates. If none of these times work for you and you would like to attend, please reach out to
admin.naswmn@socialworkers.org so we can work to provide a time that fits your schedule.
Additionally, please be on the lookout for a local event in your region to connect with other Michigan social workers in the upcoming weeks.
Advocacy Opportunities
Contact state lawmakers and urge them to support Michigan Senate Bills 508-510, legislation to prohibit the wearing of face covering masks by law enforcement officers, to protect schools, places of worship, hospitals, shelters and courthouses from immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant, and to protect people's personal private data from being used for immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. LINK: https://secure.ngpvan.com/6qW40f-s10iMvPJ99qrCpw2 (These bills are set to be in committee hearings on 1/29)
Support Senate Resolution 86.
A resolution to urge the United States Congress to pass legislation to require immigration officers to display visible identification, prohibit immigration officers from covering their faces, and limit immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations.
Contact federal lawmakers and urge them to vote NO on the Department of Homeland Security budget that includes no significant changes or accountability for ICE.
- Senator Gary Peters. (202) 224-6221
- Senator Elissa Slotkin. (202) 224-4822
Potential phone script:
“My name is _______ and I am a social worker and constituent from ________, Michigan. I am calling today to urge you to NOT vote for any funding appropriation that provides additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE needs more restrictions and accountability for their actions, including recent occupations and community violence. Patterns of unchecked violence and harm have no place in our
country, and I ask that you not expand ICE’s ability to continue this violence.”
Our Commitment
NASW-MI mourns the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. We stand with their families, with the people of Minnesota, and with all communities harmed by unjust and violent enforcement practices. We remain committed to advocating for systems that protect life, respect human dignity, and promote healing rather than harm.
Social workers will continue to show up—for our communities, for justice, and for one another.
Upcoming Trainings
VIRTUAL: Legal Observer Training
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
6:30-8:30pm
Click here to register
Join the NLG in protecting the First Amendment rights of protesters from police interference by becoming a Legal Observer! LOs can be legal workers, as well as activists or community members, who share the NLG's values of people's rights over property rights.
VIRTUAL: Social Work Campaign School
Friday, February 6, 2026
12-6pm. 6 CEs
Click here to register
Join social workers across the nation for this one-day virtual training dedicated to empowering social workers to step into political leadership. Through this program, we aim to equip social workers with the skills and insights needed to create meaningful change in our communities through pursuit of elected office.
VIRTUAL: "Resist Together" Know Your Rights Training
Saturday, February 7, 2026
3 – 4:30pm EST
Click here to register
Please join the Detroit, Michigan National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for a Know Your Rights with ICE and Law Enforcement Training.
This training is an opportunity to learn how to enforce your Constitutional rights when you encounter ICE and other law enforcement officers in your home, neighborhood, workplace, or community.
Know Your Rights Town Hall with Rep. Pohutsky
Monday, February 9, 2026
5:30-7pm
Redford Township District Library (and virtual)
Hear how to enforce your constitutional rights during encounters with ICE, Border Patrol, and other law enforcement. We'll be joined by the ACLU of Michigan and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. You can register to attend via Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/2em59sek for those unable to attend in person.
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