Detroit mayor faces criticism from migrant groups over language used for undocumented immigrants

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan faced backlash from nine immigrant rights organizations for using the term “illegal” to describe undocumented immigrants, which they deemed dehumanizing and inappropriate. The groups emphasized that a “welcoming city” should avoid public statements attacking individuals based on immigration status, as stated in their press release.
Duggan defended his remarks as a matter of “political correctness” and reiterated Detroit’s policy of cooperating with federal immigration authorities regarding undocumented immigrants with criminal records. The immigrant community is a vital part of Detroit’s economy and culture, according to Jasmine Rivera, co-executive director of Rising Voices.