YPSILANTI, Mich. – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released a statement after agents reportedly took multiple parents into custody at a bus stop in Ypsilanti during student drop-off.
The parents were taken into custody in the morning on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.
Here’s what an ICE spokesperson said about the arrests:
“ICE does NOT target schools for enforcement actions or bus stop locations. To be clear, NO children were present during these arrests.
ICE officers were conducting targeted operations seeking to apprehend illegal aliens with final orders of removal from the United States, Jan. 27, 2026. During the intelligence-based operation, ICE officers observed two vehicles leave the target’s residence and initiated a vehicle stop.
During the vehicle encounter, officers encountered (two people), both illegal aliens from Honduras, and (third person), an illegal alien from Mexico with a final order of removal. All three illegal aliens entered the U.S. under the Biden administration’s catch and release policies. During the second vehicle encounter, officers detained (fourth person) an illegal alien from Honduras.
All of the illegal aliens remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings and will receive full due process.
Lies like these are just another reason why our officers are grappling with a 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks and a staggering 8,000% uptick in death threats.
We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
ICE Spokesperson
Three detainees are receiving legal support from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC).
“It is just heartbreaking to see these actions roll out,” said Christine Sauvé, MIRC’s policy, engagement, and communications manager.
“There are no words to fully capture the pain, fear, and disruption this causes for our scholars and their loved ones,” Ypsilanti Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross wrote in a letter to families.
Zachery-Ross emphasized that the district does not voluntarily cooperate with ICE and is working to maintain school grounds as protected spaces for student learning.
Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer addressed the incident’s impact on social media, noting that ICE typically conducts these operations without advance notice or coordination with local dispatch, leaving communities to manage the aftermath.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, Dyer posted an update, saying she had “a conversation with immigration enforcement leadership and they confirmed they were in Washtenaw on 1/27, but were not, and will not, do any enforcement on school grounds, or school bus stops.” You can see all of Dyer’s updates on the arrest at the bottom of this article.
The MIRC reports an uptick in immigration enforcement activities throughout Michigan.
“That is happening in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state. We don’t have the same task force representation of federal forces that we are seeing in other states,” Sauvé said.
She encourages people to familiarize themselves with their rights and prepare for immigration enforcement.
In response to the incident, Dr. Zachery-Ross advised families to take precautions when traveling to school and recommended reviewing “Know Your Rights” materials.
Here are the updates about the arrests that Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer posted on social media:
“Update as of 1/29: I was able to have a conversation with immigration enforcement leadership and they confirmed they were in Washtenaw on 1/27, but were not, and will not, do any enforcement on school grounds, or school bus stops. They have agreed to better communicate in the future when they leave Washtenaw County, and any additional reports of activity on 1/28 have been confirmed to be rumors.
On Tuesday (1/27/26), we received multiple reports from community members that ICE detained a mother in front of her child in the Ypsilanti area, along with other residents. These situations are deeply distressing for families, especially for children. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to confirm details, as ICE frequently provides no advance notice, does not contact Metro Dispatch, and leaves families, schools, and communities to process the impact on their own in the aftermath.
Based on the information we currently have, ICE activity did not occur on any school grounds. However, it did take place near bus stops in the Ypsilanti community, and it appears that parents connected to local schools were targeted at a bus stop in Ypsilanti during student drop-off times.
I am continuing to seek answers in partnership with our local leaders and schools. Children deserve to feel safe traveling to and from school, and actions like these can undermine that sense of security and cause lasting harm.
My office will continue to be there for our immigrant families. We do not ask about immigration status, nor do we engage in immigration enforcement, and we will continue that practice, as our job is to protect and serve all residents regardless of immigration status. I will continue seeking answers, as any ICE activity especially near bus stops and/or other sensitive locations is deeply disturbing.
Anyone in the Washtenaw area who needs support or resources can contact the WICIR hotline for immigration-related emergencies at 734-355-2707. Legal assistance may also be available through MIRC, depending on the county in Michigan. For those who are able, supporting WICIR and MIRC is encouraged, as these organizations are working under significant strain to meet growing community needs.
I also want to highlight Michigan Senate Bills 508–510 (2025–2026), a legislative package that aims to protect “sensitive locations,” including schools, hospitals, and places of worship, from immigration enforcement actions. I strongly hope these bills are supported to provide clearer protections and additional safeguards for our communities.
Update as of 1/28/26: No known incidents occurred today (Wednesday) and rumors around activity at schools today were not accurate. There were also rumors that multiple agents were near a hotel that were found to also not be accurate. I am still working to obtain more information and will provide any updates regarding what occurred on Tuesday, 1/27/26."
Washtenaw County Sheriff Alysia Dyer