Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is facing backlash for referring to individuals residing in the country without legal authorization as "illegal immigrants," a term some immigrant advocacy groups deem offensive and dehumanizing. The criticism comes as Duggan reiterated Detroit's policy of cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Several Michigan organizations that advocate for immigrant rights have publicly denounced Duggan's language, arguing that the term "illegal immigrant" is harmful and disrespectful to Detroit's diverse immigrant communities. They prefer terms like "undocumented" or "unauthorized."

Duggan, who previously served as a Democrat but now identifies as an Independent, defended his stance, characterizing the criticism as an issue of "political correctness." He explained that Detroit is not a sanctuary city and will continue to comply with federal immigration authorities. Specifically, he stated that if Detroit police arrest someone and ICE notifies them that the individual is in the country illegally, the city will cooperate with federal enforcement.

The mayor emphasized the consistency of Detroit's policy across presidential administrations, highlighting that this cooperation occurred during the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. He underscored that the city's position remains unchanged: individuals in the country illegally who are arrested and flagged by ICE will be transferred to federal custody.

This debate over terminology reflects a broader national conversation about immigration policy and how to refer to individuals without legal immigration status. While some, like Duggan, use the term "illegal immigrant," others argue that it carries negative connotations and prefer alternative terms that emphasize the personhood of those affected.

Duggan maintains that his priority is upholding the law and ensuring public safety in Detroit. He remains firm in his decision to cooperate with ICE, regardless of the ongoing debate surrounding the language used to describe individuals without legal immigration status.