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Houston Mayor Limits ICE Cooperation After Democrats Win in Texas
Confirmed
In Short: Houston Mayor John Whitmire directed police to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, citing the shift in state politics following Democrats' victory in Texas.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire on Friday signed an executive order directing the Houston Police Department to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in response to Democrats reclaiming power in Texas for the first time in decades. The move comes after a series of protests against ICE actions in the city.
Whitmire's directive instructs police to contact ICE only if the person stopped is arrested on a charge that could lead to jail time or if ICE issues an administrative warrant. This change is aimed at reducing fear and anxiety among Houston residents, particularly in immigrant communities.
Cesar Espinosa, executive director at FIEL, an immigrant rights group in Houston, welcomed the move, stating, “It means that the mom taking her kid to school is not going to have a panic attack every time she sees HPD.” However, Espinosa also noted that it would take time for the immigrant community to feel truly safer.
The new directive specifies that ICE will only be contacted if someone commits a jailable offense. Whitmire explained, “You write a citation or you warn them, and they go about their way. No contact with [ICE] over nonviolent, non-jailable offenses.” This shift aims to rebuild trust and reduce fear and anxiety among all Houston residents.
ICE responded to the new policy with disappointment, stating, “We remain disappointed that sanctuary politicians seek to limit cooperation with ICE, as our law enforcement are simply fulfilling their sworn duties to serve and protect our communities.” ICE cited recent criminal arrests of illegal immigrants in Houston, including a Cuban man convicted of homicide, burglary, and forced entry.
What's confirmed
- Houston Mayor John Whitmire on Friday signed an executive order directing the Houston Police Department to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in response to Democrats reclaiming power in Texas for the first time in decades. The move comes after a series of protests against ICE actions in the city.
- Whitmire's directive instructs police to contact ICE only if the person stopped is arrested on a charge that could lead to jail time or if ICE issues an administrative warrant. This change is aimed at reducing fear and anxiety among Houston residents, particularly in immigrant communities.
- Cesar Espinosa, executive director at FIEL, an immigrant rights group in Houston, welcomed the move, stating, “It means that the mom taking her kid to school is not going to have a panic attack every time she sees HPD.” However, Espinosa also noted that it would take time for the immigrant community to feel truly safer.
- The new directive specifies that ICE will only be contacted if someone commits a jailable offense. Whitmire explained, “You write a citation or you warn them, and they go about their way. No contact with [ICE] over nonviolent, non-jailable offenses.” This shift aims to rebuild trust and reduce fear and anxiety among all Houston residents.
- ICE responded to the new policy with disappointment, stating, “We remain disappointed that sanctuary politicians seek to limit cooperation with ICE, as our law enforcement are simply fulfilling their sworn duties to serve and protect our communities.” ICE cited recent criminal arrests of illegal immigrants in Houston, including a Cuban man convicted of homicide, burglary, and forced entry.
What's still developing
- Houston has been a recurring scene of protests to Trump’s immigration crackdown in the wake of one ICE officer fatally shooting a Mexican homebuilder and another striking a man with a car.
- Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott discusses Houston City Council’s revised policy regarding police cooperation with ICE on ‘The Will Cain Show.’ The Democratic mayor of America's fourth-largest city is reversing course on cooperation with federal immigration authorities despite an executive order from defeated Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that threatened the loss of millions in state funding for noncompliance.
- The Houston City Council subsequently approved an ordinance in April limiting how long officers could detain individuals while awaiting ICE agents, but Whitmire backed revisions after Abbott threatened to withhold more than $100 million in state funding and then- Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into the city's immigration policies.
- A previous policy enacted in March by Whitmire and Police Chief Noe Diaz stipulated that if a background check revealed an immigration-related warrant, a sergeant would be called to oversee ICE involvement, according to Houston’s FOX affiliate.
- A major policy shift is coming to the Houston Police Department: Mayor John Whitmire signed an executive order limiting HPD's cooperation with ICE. #HoustonNews #HoustonTX pic.twitter.com/doAy75KVnX In September, agents shot and wounded Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan man, during a traffic stop, sparking protests around Austin.