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Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls

Two officers faced discipline after contacting federal immigration agents.

Immigration

DPD Sgt. Denise Wallet and officer James Corsi were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suspended" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-sergeant-officer-suspended-without-pay-contacting-border-patrol-during-traffic-stop" data-vars-content-id="9a28a5f4-6165-4783-a020-59c05b232c67" data-vars-headline="Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/detroit-sergeant-officer-suspended-without-pay-contacting-border-patrol-during-traffic-stop" target="_blank">suspended</a> in February for calling Customs and Border Protection for assistance during traffic stops, in apparent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violation of DPD policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/30/how-detroit-police-limits-working-with-ice" data-vars-content-id="9a28a5f4-6165-4783-a020-59c05b232c67" data-vars-headline="Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/03/30/how-detroit-police-limits-working-with-ice" target="_self">violation of DPD policy</a> against coordinating with federal immigration officials.State of play: The two incidents led to the potential deportation of two people, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Free Press" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/02/13/detroit-police-suspended-immigration-officials-cbp-ice-customs-border-protection/88665857007/" data-vars-content-id="9a28a5f4-6165-4783-a020-59c05b232c67" data-vars-headline="Officers suspended over Border Patrol calls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2026/02/13/detroit-police-suspended-immigration-officials-cbp-ice-customs-border-protection/88665857007/" target="_blank">the Free Press</a>.

Metro Detroit growth slows amid immigration drop

New Census data shows slower growth in Metro Detroit as immigration declines nationwide.

News

Metro Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="modest population gains" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/03/17/metro-detroit-adds-residents-census-shows" data-vars-content-id="eb02662b-03f9-4550-98ae-600fee6b74b4" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit growth slows amid immigration drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/03/17/metro-detroit-adds-residents-census-shows" target="_self">modest population gains</a> are flattening as immigration falls nationwide, new Census data shows.Why it matters: Any local population increase is welcome after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decades of decline" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/detroit-us-census-population-1f1f2ef32a46d4310e95dfc5e9c5a2c4" data-vars-content-id="eb02662b-03f9-4550-98ae-600fee6b74b4" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit growth slows amid immigration drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/detroit-us-census-population-1f1f2ef32a46d4310e95dfc5e9c5a2c4" target="_blank">decades of decline</a>.

How Detroit police limits working with ICE

Memos show how police interact with federal immigration authorities and where limits lie.

Detroit police leaders say the department isn&#x27;t in the &quot;immigration business&quot; and mostly isn&#x27;t communicating with ICE.Why it matters: As immigration enforcement ramps up nationwide, some cities are navigating growing pressure from President Trump&#x27;s administration threatening funding cuts and legal action on those who publicly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limit cooperation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-delivers-remarks-to-the-detroit-economic-club/" data-vars-content-id="2df4d4fc-3d4e-4a49-808c-0b7cfa4510c7" data-vars-headline="How Detroit police limits working with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-delivers-remarks-to-the-detroit-economic-club/" target="_blank">limit cooperation</a> with ICE.

Detroit Packard Plant plan halted by new mayor's administration

City ends redevelopment talks to consider new options for Packard site.

Development

Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s administration has canceled a redevelopment vision for part of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Packard Plant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/01/packard-plant-redevelopment-housing-jobs-project" data-vars-content-id="9dd404fc-eb91-4bb1-80c6-7e10ef29e76d" data-vars-headline="Detroit Packard Plant plan halted by new mayor&#x27;s administration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/12/01/packard-plant-redevelopment-housing-jobs-project" target="_self">the Packard Plant</a>, one of Detroit&#x27;s most notorious relics.State of play: A splashy December press conference featuring former Mayor Mike Duggan unveiled a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new plan" data-vars-click-url="https://packardpark.com/" data-vars-content-id="9dd404fc-eb91-4bb1-80c6-7e10ef29e76d" data-vars-headline="Detroit Packard Plant plan halted by new mayor&#x27;s administration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://packardpark.com/" target="_blank">new plan</a> for housing and recreation on the languishing site.

Detroit's religious and political legacy in the mayor's race

Opinions differ on whether a candidate's background as a pastor will help.

Politics

A prominent pastor&#x27;s presence in the Detroit mayor&#x27;s race is reigniting conversations about melding faith and governance.Why it matters: Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black churches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/video/the-black-churchs-role-in-black-politics-elections-fb6kxk/" data-vars-content-id="93ab40e2-d8bb-4dfa-88c8-496a84f1e8dc" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s religious and political legacy in the mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/video/the-black-churchs-role-in-black-politics-elections-fb6kxk/" target="_blank">Black churches</a> and religious leaders have long played meaningful roles in politics and activism, from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Civil Rights Movement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/american-black-journal/the-black-church-role-in-the-1963-detroit-walk-to-freedom/" data-vars-content-id="93ab40e2-d8bb-4dfa-88c8-496a84f1e8dc" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s religious and political legacy in the mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitpbs.org/news-media/american-black-journal/the-black-church-role-in-the-1963-detroit-walk-to-freedom/" target="_blank">Civil Rights Movement</a>, on City Council in recent decades and to present day.

Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis

Francis' legacy is being memorialized at parishes across the region.

Religion

Religious leaders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-tributes-world-leaders" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-tributes-world-leaders" target="_self">across the world</a> and in Metro Detroit continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis at 88 on Easter Monday.The big picture: Francis&#x27; legacy is being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="memorialized" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/remembering-pope-francis" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/remembering-pope-francis" target="_blank">memorialized</a> at parishes across the region, including by the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit&#x27;s new archbishop, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edward Weisenburger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" data-vars-content-id="c38f8134-2a90-420c-96ca-56ecd739cd84" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit mourns Pope Francis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/11/detroit-catholic-bishop-replaced" target="_self">Edward Weisenburger</a>.

Study: Michigan is becoming less Christian

Fewer Michiganders will be observing Lent than a decade ago.

As Lent begins, fewer Michiganders will be observing it than a decade ago, according to a new Pew study.Why it matters: The increase in Michigan residents who don&#x27;t identify with any religion mirrors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a nationwide trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/us-christianity-decline-pew-study" data-vars-content-id="f94d44d7-83f8-4f56-b790-2173a4c19268" data-vars-headline="Study: Michigan is becoming less Christian" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/26/us-christianity-decline-pew-study" target="_self">a nationwide trend</a>.

Detroit's Catholic leader replaced

Archbishop Allen Vigneron will be replaced by a bishop from Tucson.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, has resigned and will be replaced by a bishop coming from Tucson, Arizona.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vigneron" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/archbishop-allen-vigneron" data-vars-content-id="07b28a9f-a26e-438b-9920-934b0d9f602f" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Catholic leader replaced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/archbishop-allen-vigneron" target="_blank">Vigneron</a>, 76, has been in the post for 16 years, in charge of the churches and bishops encompassing around 900,000 Catholics in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="six counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aod.org/history-of-the-archdiocese#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20Archdiocese%20of%20Detroit,Clair%20and%20Wayne." data-vars-content-id="07b28a9f-a26e-438b-9920-934b0d9f602f" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Catholic leader replaced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aod.org/history-of-the-archdiocese#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20Archdiocese%20of%20Detroit,Clair%20and%20Wayne." target="_blank">six counties</a> around southeast Michigan.

Detroit's Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon

Episcopal leaders are seeing a surge of interest after Bishop Mariann Budde's sermon at the National Cathedral.

An Episcopal bishop&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sermon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/trump-immigration-religious-leaders-episcopal-catholic-churches" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/trump-immigration-religious-leaders-episcopal-catholic-churches" target="_self">sermon</a> at President Trump&#x27;s inauguration struck a nerve with onlookers across the country interested in &quot;the other Christians.&quot;The big picture: From Detroit to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/01/30/episcopal-church-trump-budde-sermon-utah" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/01/30/episcopal-church-trump-budde-sermon-utah" target="_self">Utah</a>, Episcopal leaders are seeing a surge of interest in the wake of Bishop Mariann Budde&#x27;s sermon last month, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="implored " data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-sermon-that-enraged-donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/24/bishop-mariann-edgar-budde-sermon-that-enraged-donald-trump" target="_blank">implored </a>Trump to &quot;have mercy&quot; for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undocumented immigrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/30/detroit-braces-ice-enforcement-immigrants-trump" data-vars-content-id="2bc27acb-4de7-4299-9e2a-387ebc9e72ae" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s Episcopal churches welcome new visitors after viral sermon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/30/detroit-braces-ice-enforcement-immigrants-trump" target="_self">undocumented immigrants</a> and LGBTQ+ people.

Metro Detroit churches' acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous

More denominations are accepting, but the true number willing to perform marriages is unclear.

Overseeing same-sex marriages has gone from stunningly unique to commonplace for Bishop Bonnie Perry, the first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lesbian priest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/02/08/first-female-openly-lesbian-bishop-ordained-michigan-episcopal-diocese-bonnie-perry/4680863002/" data-vars-content-id="50263018-a881-479c-9ddb-25647e796af7" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit churches&#x27; acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/02/08/first-female-openly-lesbian-bishop-ordained-michigan-episcopal-diocese-bonnie-perry/4680863002/" target="_blank">lesbian priest</a> elected to oversee the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Episcopal Diocese of Michigan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edomi.org/bishopperry/" data-vars-content-id="50263018-a881-479c-9ddb-25647e796af7" data-vars-headline="Metro Detroit churches&#x27; acceptance of same-sex marriage still ambiguous" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edomi.org/bishopperry/" target="_blank">Episcopal Diocese of Michigan</a>.Why it matters: Some Christian denominations have become increasingly accepting of same-sex marriages since they were federally legalized nearly a decade ago. But it remains unclear how many churches are willing to perform the ceremonies in Metro Detroit, according to experts and religious leaders interviewed by Axios.

Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history

From 1970s activism to same-sex marriage legalization in 2015.

As we examine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="same-sex marriage acceptance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/06/27/christianity-acceptance-of-same-sex-marriage-ambiguous" data-vars-content-id="688904ae-5c77-45ec-b10f-42b2609c7b31" data-vars-headline="Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/06/27/christianity-acceptance-of-same-sex-marriage-ambiguous" target="_self">same-sex marriage acceptance</a> in Christianity in Metro Detroit this Pride month, we&#x27;ve chosen several moments in local history that illustrate the changing relationship between LGBTQ+ communities and the church, featuring input from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tim Retzloff" data-vars-click-url="https://michiganlgbtqremember.com/842-2/" data-vars-content-id="688904ae-5c77-45ec-b10f-42b2609c7b31" data-vars-headline="Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://michiganlgbtqremember.com/842-2/" target="_blank">Tim Retzloff</a>, an LGBTQ+ historian and adjunct professor at MSU.We&#x27;re starting in the 1970s, the decade in which LGBTQ+ activism began to gain momentum in Michigan, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Michigan historical exhibit" data-vars-click-url="https://apps.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/lgbtheritage/1970" data-vars-content-id="688904ae-5c77-45ec-b10f-42b2609c7b31" data-vars-headline="Moments in Metro Detroit LGBTQ+ religious history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apps.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/lgbtheritage/1970" target="_blank">University of Michigan historical exhibit</a>.

Most Michiganders don't attend religious services

Metro Detroit's attendance is slightly higher.

Those attending this year&#x27;s Easter services will be in the minority: A majority of Michigan adults don&#x27;t go to church or religious services, a new analysis of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Census data shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/household-pulse-survey.html" data-vars-content-id="42e8b026-40ef-4bc1-a386-8e6115761b62" data-vars-headline="Most Michiganders don&#x27;t attend religious services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/household-pulse-survey.html" target="_blank">U.S. Census data shows</a>.Why it matters: More than three-quarters of Americans say religion&#x27;s role in public life is shrinking, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/03/15/8-in-10-americans-say-religion-is-losing-influence-in-public-life/" data-vars-content-id="42e8b026-40ef-4bc1-a386-8e6115761b62" data-vars-headline="Most Michiganders don&#x27;t attend religious services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/03/15/8-in-10-americans-say-religion-is-losing-influence-in-public-life/" target="_blank">recent study</a> by Pew Research Center survey — the highest level since the group first started tracking such sentiment in 2001.

A line chart shows changes in religious identification in Michigan from 2014 to 2024. The percentage of individuals who said they identify as Christian decreased from 70% to 61%. Meanwhile, the percentage who said they're unaffiliated increased from 24% to 31% during the same period.