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4d ago

CBP Confirms Secret Detentions at Northern Border, Faces Calls for Reform

Over 200 individuals, many detained after mistaken crossings into Canada, have been held in undisclosed Detroit facilities, prompting demands for transparency and policy changes.

Vehicles enter the United States from Canada across the Ambassador Bridge at a U.S. Customs port of entry in December 13, 2004, in Detroit, Michigan.
The border between the U.S. and Canada is seen inside the tunnel that connects Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Ont., on April 3.
Image
A file photo of Canadian and American flags fly on the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., on March 8, 2025.

Overview

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed detaining over 200 individuals at Detroit-area facilities since January, with about half transferred to ICE and the rest released after processing.
  • Roughly 90% of detainees entered custody after accidental crossings into Canada, often due to navigation errors leading to the Ambassador Bridge toll plaza.
  • Reports reveal detainees, including families with young children, have been held for longer than the 72-hour limit in makeshift facilities lacking proper resources for long-term stays.
  • Detainees are denied access to legal counsel, phone calls, and public custody records, raising concerns about due process violations and 'disappearances.'
  • Rep. Rashida Tlaib and the ACLU of Michigan are pressing for reforms, including a public custody tracker, strict detention time caps, and protections for family unity.