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4mo ago

CBP Faces Scrutiny Over Prolonged Detentions at Michigan-Canada Border

Over 200 individuals, including children, were secretly detained at improvised facilities, prompting calls for transparency and adherence to detention standards.

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.
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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

  • Rep. Rashida Tlaib and the ACLU of Michigan have sent formal letters and FOIA requests demanding an end to prolonged detentions and the creation of an online custody reporting system.
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed detaining over 200 people, including U.S. citizens, between January and March, with 90% crossing into Canada accidentally.
  • Detainees, including families, were held in makeshift facilities unequipped for prolonged stays, with some held beyond the 72-hour limit mandated by CBP policy.
  • Advocacy groups have raised concerns about the lack of access to legal counsel, medical care, and basic necessities during detention, calling the practice a violation of due process.
  • CBP defended its actions, citing routine screening procedures, and confirmed plans to transfer asylum seekers returned from Canada under the Safe Third Country Agreement to ICE custody.