Great Lakes Wire

Aric Nesbitt, a Senator from Michigan, said that the opening of a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention hub in the state will create jobs and bolster immigration enforcement efforts. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Largest ICE detention hub in the Midwest will be opening soon right here in Michigan," said Aric Young Nesbitt, State Senator for Michigan. "This is a great move that will provide new jobs and help support ICE's critical mission to keep America SAFE."

ICE has expanded its immigration enforcement in Michigan by reopening the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin. According to Bridge Michigan, this move has sparked protests and controversy over private prison contracts and detainee rights, intensifying regional debate about transparency, due process, and local economic impact.

According to ICE, Michigan’s North Lake Correctional Facility can accommodate up to 1,800 detainees. As of June 2025, over 346 individuals were held in ICE custody statewide. The Midwest is operating above federally funded capacity with ICE detaining nearly 48,000 people nationwide.

The Washington Post reports that reopening facilities like North Lake in Michigan and Winnfield in Louisiana has generated hundreds of jobs and millions in local revenue. However, academic studies indicate that long-term economic benefits for host communities may be modest compared to social costs.

According to the official Michigan Senate website, Nesbitt is the Republican Senate minority leader representing the 20th District. He previously served as House Republican floor leader and focuses legislatively on fiscal conservatism, rural growth, and regulatory reform.