State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) sitting on a House committee meeting in the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing on Sept. 15, 2026.

 

Rep. Mai Xiong Condemns Fox News Article Targeting Warren’s Muslim Community

 

WARREN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2026 — On Sept. 20, Fox News published an article imbued with racist and anti-Muslim rhetoric titled “Working-class Americans say their town is the next Dearborn — and they’ve had enough.” The article specifically targets Muslim communities in Warren. In response, state Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) issued the following statement:

“I am disgusted by the recent Fox News article targeting my home and the people we call our neighbors and friends. Fox News should be ashamed of publishing a story that scapegoats Muslim families, businesses and houses of worship and portrays their very presence as something frightening or threatening.

“Warren is my home and where I chose to raise my family. My family came to the United States because of war and persecution, in search of a better life and opportunity. My parents risked their lives crossing mountains, oceans and rivers to bring me here.

“I am proud to represent Warren every day at the state Capitol. I have come to know my neighbors, who are people of different faiths, backgrounds and beliefs, and I am proud of the diversity that makes our community what it is.

“The story traffics in racist and anti-Muslim rhetoric, dehumanizing our neighbors as nameless and faceless. It paints them as outsiders who are unwelcome, using their faith and background to stoke fear and division.

“Every family in Warren deserves the same dignity, safety and sense of belonging as anyone else. I am proud to represent the members of our communities who practice the Muslim faith. Some are immigrants and refugees just like me. They came here seeking a better life and greater opportunities for their children. 

“Who are we to shun them or treat them as somehow inferior to us? Their families are part of our community. Their children are our children’s classmates. Their businesses are part of the fabric of our city. And their contributions make Warren stronger.

“We must remember that our Constitution upholds everyone’s freedom of religion. One article written by a national news outlet is not reflective of the welcoming and kind Warren that I know. I will not stay silent while others use racism and hatred to divide our community.

“No one in Warren should feel that they have to face this kind of hatred alone. I will continue to listen to you, stand with you and add my voice to your own. We are neighbors. We are coworkers. We are friends and we are a community. And we will not let fear divide us. Let’s continue to show up for one another, stand up for our neighbors and remind each other that everyone belongs here.”

###