Watch CBS News

Is Detroit In Danger Of Attacks From ISIS Militants?

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Is Detroit in danger of attacks from ISIS militants? Federal officials are saying "probably not."

Federal authorities say the risk of Detroit-area residents joining the Islamic State group isn't amplified by the region's large Muslim population.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade told The Detroit News the threat presented by ISIS isn't any greater in metro Detroit than in other cities.

"It's not necessarily Arabs and Muslims that are answering the call. It's converts," McQuade told the newspaper. "Every part of the country is concerned about this issue."

Federal agents have encouraged community, religious and civil rights leaders to help discourage people from backing the Islamic State group.

Meanwhile, authorities are keeping an eye out for any possible recruiting. Paul Abbate, special agent in charge of Detroit's FBI office, says "a whole spectrum of investigative techniques" is being used.

Their comments come after an Iraqi man living in Michigan was accused last month of lying about plans to train with the Islamic State group in the Middle East. He was arrested before a one-way flight to Jordan.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.