Tensions over immigration enforcement escalated across Southeast Michigan as hundreds of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools students staged a walkout Tuesday afternoon in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, while religious leaders from multiple faiths called for defunding the federal agency.

The student demonstration, captured by aerial footage, represents the latest in a series of protests against ICE agents operating in the region. The walkout coincided with the White House's announcement that it would pull back 700 of the 3,000 immigration enforcement officers deployed in Minnesota.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report below: Plymouth students protest ICE as religious coalition demands defunding

At St. Paul's Episcopal Church, roughly 60 Episcopalian priests, Jewish rabbis and Muslim imams gathered to condemn what they described as immoral immigration enforcement tactics. The interfaith coalition called on lawmakers to cut funding to ICE, citing concerns over the agency's methods and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

"This may be beginning with immigrants, but if the administration has its way, it surely won't stop there," Rabbi Nate Degroot, director of the Shalom Center, said.

The religious leaders and Christy McGillivray, executive director of Voters Not Politicians, argued there was no room for compromise on the issue.

"Any deal for reform is delusional. ICE agents have violated nearly 100 court orders from just one single Minneapolis judge in the past few months," McGillivray said.

"To spend our public dollars on the systematic abuse of our communities is morally repugnant," Rev. Jill Zundel, pastor emeritus at Central Methodist Church added.

Web extra: Clergy members in metro Detroit talk about impact of immigration enforcement Web extra: Clergy members in metro Detroit talk about impact of immigration enforcement

The enforcement crackdown has impacted local businesses serving immigrant communities, including Maty's African Cuisine. Owner Amadi Gueye said customer traffic has dropped significantly as fear spreads through the community.

"They don't come here to buy food anymore. Everybody's scared. They stay home," Gueye said.

Gueye said his nephew and brother were detained last week, adding to what he described as widespread arrests in the African community.

"This past three weeks, they've taken over 20 people 20 African people," he said.

While Gueye said he could support ICE funding if agents focused solely on criminals, he believes the current operations are targeting law-abiding residents.

"ICE in the beginning, they say they're looking for criminals, but now they are catching good people," Gueye said.

Sunny Reddy, co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, defended the enforcement actions.

"I strongly support ICE, what they're doing. They're not targeting an individual; they're targeting the people who violated the law," Reddy said.

The Oakland County Republican Party released a statement criticizing the faith leaders' press conference, calling it "another troubling escalation in the radical left's campaign to delegitimize lawful federal immigration enforcement and undermine respect for the rule of law."

The statement compared the movement to "the failed and destructive 'defund the police' movement of 2020, which prioritized slogans over solutions and left communities less safe as a result."

You can read the full statement below:

The increasingly extreme rhetoric coming out of todays so-called ICE Out Interfaith Press Conference marks another troubling escalation in the radical lefts campaign to delegitimize lawful federal immigration enforcement and undermine respect for the rule of law. Recent tragedies involving federal immigration officers are undeniable and deeply serious. As Brian Szmytke, Senior Advisor to the Oakland County Republican Party noted, Any loss of life is tragic, and those incidents deserve to be investigated fully and transparently. But we also have to be honest about what has fueled this moment. These tragedies did not occur in a vacuum. They are the foreseeable result of years of dangerous rhetoric from the far left that portrays law enforcement officers as villains and encourages confrontation instead of compliance. Rather than working to lower tensions, organizers of todays event chose to double down on that rhetoric by branding a federal law-enforcement agency as lawless and out of control. According to Szmytke, That kind of language is reckless. When activists and political leaders tell people that law enforcement itself is illegitimate, they create an environment where resistance is celebrated and violence becomes more likely. Words have consequences. This approach mirrors the failed and destructive defund the police movement of 2020, which prioritized slogans over solutions and left communities less safe as a result. We have already lived through the real-world consequences of demonizing law enforcement, Szmytke added. Now we are watching the same playbook get recycled, this time targeting federal officers who are doing the job Congress assigned them.

"We are not calling for open borders, we are not calling for the end of law we are calling for an end to masked militarized immigration enforcement inside our communities," Rev. Josephy Alsay, dean of St. Pauls Cathedral, said.

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About 200 people gathered on Detroit's west side Friday to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection actions, saying immigration enforcement is tearing families apart and targeting the wrong people.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: National protest against ICE reaches Detroit's west side

The demonstration at 7 Mile and Telegraph drew protesters to a neighborhood many African immigrants call home, as part of hundreds of protests across the country following unrest in Minnesota and the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents.

WEB EXTRA: Chopper video of ICE protest in Detroit on January 30 Chopper video of ICE protest in Detroit on January 30

"It is very rare that communities center Black migrants. So for us to be here in Black Detroit, centering other Black folks living here that have an accent, so we feel seen," Dr. Seydi Sarr said.

Some protesters say they've been personally impacted by the Trump administration's mass deportation effort.

"They take one of my nephew yesterday... and they take my brother the day before yesterday," Amady Gueye said.

"We will not continue on with business as usual. We will not look away while you terrorize our communities," Sarah Williams said.

Nabih Ayad from the Arab-American Civil Rights League described disturbing scenes involving children.

"A five-year-old is left crying while his parents are being arrested," Ayad said. "Children being ripped from their parents while they're having seizures."

Earlier Friday, leaders from civic, faith, and labor communities, along with NAACP Detroit Branch President Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, called for accountability measures, including no new funding for ICE, body cameras for agents, and an end to federal immunity.

WEB EXTRA: NAACP Detroit Branch holds press conference following recent ICE actions NAACP Detroit Branch holds press conference following recent ICE actions

"The current ICE policies exercised in America remind us of 1939 Germany, today's Russia, China, North Korea, and the old southern America... as they attacked, lynched, and kidnapped African Americans simply trying to register people to vote," Anthony said.

The group is urging politicians on both sides of the aisle to take action.

"Several of the Democrats have stood up and said something about it," Anthony said. "But it's the Republicans we have not heard from."

However, Sunny Reddy, co-chair of the Michigan GOP and himself an immigrant, sees the situation differently.

"I strongly support peaceful protest there's no question about it but at the same time let ICE do their job," Reddy said. "I strongly support ICE they're not targeting an individual, they're targeting people who violated the law."

"If someone is going against the law, even if they are officers, they should be investigated, and there should be action taken against them," Reddy said.

Statement from Vance Patrick, Chair, Oakland County Republican Party:

Oakland County residents are witnessing yet another example of the radical left putting political theatrics ahead of the rule of law. The so-called nationwide shutdown planned for today is nothing more than a petty, childish temper tantrum over the federal government enforcing immigration laws that are already on the books and were duly passed by Congress. This kind of behavior is sadly familiar. We saw it in 2020 with the reckless defund the police movement, when progressive extremists openly sided with chaos over public safety. The results were predictable and damaging: rising crime, demoralized law enforcement, and communities left less safe. Now, the same radical mindset is reappearing, this time attacking the lawful enforcement of our immigration system. Lets be clear. Enforcing the law is not radical. Ignoring it is. Encouraging shutdowns, disruption, and disorder because you disagree with existing law is not principled protest; it is lawlessness dressed up as activism. Democrats continue to signal that rules only matter when they align with their ideological preferences. Voters across Michigan, and especially here in Oakland County, are stunned by how quickly this extreme worldview is becoming mainstream within todays Democratic Party. Working families want stability, safety, and a government that takes its responsibilities seriously. They do not want childish stunts that undermine confidence in our institutions and disrupt the lives of people who are just trying to go to work and provide for their families. The Oakland County Republican Party stands firmly for the rule of law, public order, and responsible governance. We will continue to call out radicalism wherever it appears and advocate for policies rooted in common sense, accountability, and respect for the laws that hold our nation together.

ICE and Customs and Border Protection fall under the Department of Homeland Security. I reached out to DHS for comment, but received no response.

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A Detroit bus company owner's decision to offer rides to students walking to school in frigid temperatures has ignited a community debate about child safety, sparking warnings from school officials and dividing parents on social media.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Detroit yellow bus owner's cold weather student rides spark safety debate

Darrell Beaver, owner of EllaMin'OP Transportation, said he stopped to help students walking to school on one of the coldest mornings of the year, Wednesday. Beaver spotted the children while driving his contracted route to Braniacs Clubhouse Child Development Center on Detroit's east side.

"I just jumped into help mode. Like, it was freezing. Again, I was in a bus for over an hour, and my feet were froze, so I felt bad to see these kids walking," Beaver said.

The gesture prompted Detroit Public Schools Community District officials to send a robocall and mass text, warning families not to let students board unauthorized buses. Beaver does not have a contract with Detroit Public Schools to transport children.

"At this time, we don't have any evidence to suggest he had any nefarious intent, but really focusing on never encouraging students, children to get into vehicles with people they don't know, regardless of the type of vehicle it is," said DPSCD Police Chief Labrit Jackson.

Jackson expressed concerns about liability and said Beaver's actions could set a dangerous precedent.

"The next person who's watching this now, we've given him an idea, we've planted a seed that they can use as a, no pun intended, but a vehicle to have access to our children," Jackson said.

Parent Diane Longmire, who was in the pickup line at Fisher Magnet Upper Academy, where Beaver said he dropped off a student with her mother's permission, Wednesday morning, emphasized the need for caution.

"We just need to be careful about our children. That's why I brave the cold, that's why I'm here, so when she comes right out that door, she comes right into this car," Longmire said.

However, parent Tamika Jimerson, who supports Beaver and his efforts, said she doesn't have that luxury. She planned to accept Beaver's offer to take her children to school on Thursday, but he backed out after the online backlash and district warning. Jimerson's children attend a non-Detroit Public Schools charter school without bus service, and she does not have a car.

"I was kinda like, I wasn't mad, but I was just like hurt cause we was really trying to go to work and school," Jimerson said.

Jimerson said ride-sharing services are too expensive for her budget.

"Lift is $50. I don't have $50 to get to school, to get them to school at 6-something in the morning," Jimerson said.

Beaver acknowledged the concerns but defended his intentions.

"I don't get a dime for it. Again, I understand everyone's concerns, but my intentions are not bad at all," Beaver said.

DPSCD is urging families that need help getting their students to school to contact its transportation call center: (313) 945-8600.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A Macomb County family is demanding answers after 53-year-old Moneque Cook was found dead behind a building in freezing temperatures, with her daughters questioning the circumstances surrounding her death.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Family has unanswered questions after woman found dead

Cook's body was discovered by a Priority Waste driver behind a building early Tuesday morning. According to her family, Cook had left her sister's Eastpointe home in the middle of the night Monday to visit a friend in Mt. Clemens.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Homeless woman found dead behind Mt. Clemens dumpster sparks urgent calls for action Homeless woman found dead behind Mt. Clemens dumpster sparks urgent calls for action

"No shoes, no coat, laying on her back. She would never lay down and die in the freezing cold; that is not my mother, that is not of her character," Cook's daughter Antonia Cook said.

Antonia Cook says the circumstances surrounding her mother's death don't add up. She noted that her mother's face was swollen and her lip was split when she was found.

"She didn't leave her sister's house like that," Antonia Cook said.

The family went to the scene after Cook was discovered and say some of her belongings were still there, including what they described as pants with blood and drag marks on the knees.

"They need to come get this evidence that my niece and them went up there and got what they left on the scene. My niece had to jump in the dumpster and got my sister's stuff," Cook's Uncle, Darryl Cook said.

The family also questions why Cook's friend hasn't contacted them.

"He hasn't shown his face, reached out to anybody, nothing," Antonia Cook said.

"I believe they were maybe having a drink or something, that's what they did, and something happened in between that time," she said.

The Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office says Cook's autopsy results are still pending, and a toxicology analysis is underway.

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Cook's death has raised concerns about the plight of the unhoused as temperatures drop to the coldest of the season. However, her family says she was not homeless but rather a woman who fell on hard times and would stay with different family members as they helped her get back on her feet.

"She was just-they put her off as a homeless woman, died behind a dumpster, and that is not Moneque's story," Antonia Cook said.

As the family waits for answers, they hold on to memories of Cook. They have also set up a GoFundMe page to help pay funeral costs.

"My mother is love, love. So sweet. So sweet she would give anybody anything," Antonia Cook said.

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office says this remains an active investigation. Cook's family says until they get answers, they're left waiting for the closure they desperately need.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A Detroit family is demanding answers after 50-year-old Willie T. Smith III died in his cell at the Detroit Detention Center just three days after being arrested for allegedly stealing a bottle of wine from CVS.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Family seeks answers after man dies in Detroit jail cell days after minor arrest

Smith was arrested Sunday on the minor offense but was found dead by guards Wednesday morning. His family says the timeline surrounding his death doesn't add up.

"I just don't see how a person who played sports, took good care of his health, ran marathons he served in the Navy and everything I can't believe how somebody like that goes to jail, and now he's dead," Merari Sosa Cordero said.

Sosa Cordero, Smith's fianc, says she struggles to reconcile what she knew about her partner with what jail officials told her about his death.

After being booked into jail Sunday, Smith was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where police say he was treated for hip pain and intoxication. He was medically cleared the same day and returned to the detention center.

What happened between his hospital discharge Sunday and his death remains unclear.

"For him to be complaining of hip pain and having to go to the hospital, something must have happened," Kimberly Massey said.

Massey, Smith's sister, says their family is still searching for answers.

"I just don't understand. I really don't want this to be swept under the rug," Massey said.

"It's like no closure. From seeing him happy, healthy, to now he's gone. I'm in shock," Massey said.

Police say there does not appear to be any foul play in Smith's death, but that offers little comfort to his family. They say Smith was supposed to appear before a judge the day he was found dead and never called or contacted them while in jail something they believe was unusual.

"He would've told somebody what was going on. If he wasn't feeling good, he would've reached out. We have an eight-year-old son together he would've reached out," Sosa Cordero said.

His loved ones are now left grieving and holding onto memories of a man they describe as their family's protector.

"He loved us so much. He loved his family so much," Sosa Cordero said.

"He was our family protector. He was my oldest brother. He was caring. He was funny," Massey said.

The Detroit Police Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation into Smith's death. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office is working to determine an official cause of death, answers his family says they desperately need.

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A woman jumped from an apartment window to escape an alleged assault in Howell Thursday morning, leaving her 2-year-old son behind with a man she claimed was armed and had assaulted her.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Woman escapes alleged assault by jumping from Howell apartment window

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at the Pine Hills Apartments on Holly Hills Drive near Isbell Street, prompting a massive police response that included evacuating an entire apartment building.

Neighbor Dave Fordyce called 911 on the woman's behalf after witnessing her escape.

"Come to find out she was claiming that she was raped and the guy had a gun, her two-year-old son was trapped inside the apartment," Fordyce said.

Cell phone video captured the shirtless, barefoot woman screaming after she reportedly jumped from the apartment window to flee her attacker.

Livingston County Sheriff deputies and Howell police officers swarmed the building as neighbors watched the dramatic scene unfold.

"There was like nine cops outside holding guns and shields, and there was a truck over there and two cars over here," one neighbor said.

"They evacuated the building, from what I was told, then they had drones flying through the building looking for him, and also they had a sniper, maybe on this roof, to make sure if he came out-they had all kinds of long guns out," LJ Jackson said.

First responders detected a strong odor of gas from the building, prompting the fire department to shut off the gas supply as a precaution during the evacuation.

Police successfully rescued the 2-year-old boy through an open window of the apartment unit. However, when officers obtained a search warrant and entered the apartment, they found it vacant.

"Come to find out, evidently, the gentleman that allegedly did all this stuff left before the police got here, so he's still out running around," Fordyce said.

The Howell Police Department said there is no threat to the public at this time, but the investigation remains ongoing. Due to the active nature of the case, police are not releasing additional information.

The department thanked displaced residents and the property management team for their cooperation during the incident.

Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Livingston County Prosecutor's Office, Hamburg Township Department of Public Safety, Green Oak Township Police Department, Michigan State Police, LAWNET, Livingston County EMS, and the Howell Area Fire Department.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.