Public Outrage Hits The Baldwin Ice Detention Center After Reports
While lawmakers investigate the death of a 56-year-old detainee at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, one West Michigan man shares his experience. Reports from inside the facility describe a protest that began Monday, April 20, 2026. Michigan Publicreported that detainees and advocates said the hunger strike was tied to long stays, slow communication from ICE and living conditions at North Lake. Hillary Scholten and Haley Stevens toured an ICEdetentioncenter in Baldwin, after their letter demanding a “thorough and transparent investigation” into the death of Nenko Gantchev was ignored by the federal government. After sitting idle for three years, the 1,800-bed facility reopened in June under a new ICE contract and a new name: the North Lake Processing Center. Situated off a dirt road 3 miles from town, the detentioncenter could easily be missed. But its economic footprint is clear. Baldwin accuses ICE of detaining the man based on his skin color or political beliefs. The Department of Homeland Security has shut down a Democrat suggesting that an immigrant had been targeted over his skin color or religious beliefs. TheBaldwinfacility is not the first ICE contract or detentioncenter in Michigan, but it’s by far poised to be the largest. Four local jails in Calhoun, Chippewa, Monroe and St. Clair counties currently house migrants awaiting deportation or court dates. More unprovoked violence from ICE agents against peaceful protesters standing on public street continue to be on full display outside the Delaney DetentionCenter. DHS Secretary Mullin condemns anti-ICE protests amid chaos at Newark detentioncenter.WATCH: Protesters clash with law enforcement officers outside an ICEfacility in Newark, New Jersey, just a day after their initial demonstration turned chaotic.
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