Houston Mayor Changes Stance on Cooperation with ICE

The Democratic mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, has announced a shift in policy regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This decision goes against an executive order from outgoing Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, which threatened Houston with the loss of state funding if they failed to comply with federal immigration policies.

Texas has recently experienced a political shift, with Democrat James Talarico winning a Senate seat for the first time since 1988. This change in the political landscape has influenced Whitmire’s approach to federal immigration cooperation. The mayor declared that local police would not inform ICE about undocumented immigrants during ‘nonviolent contacts’, such as traffic stops or minor offenses. Whitmire stated, “If they’re charged with a new crime, we’ll let ICE know as we get them to the jailhouse.”

Whitmire’s decision coincides with Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa’s upcoming term, but the mayor characterized the move as a “responsible” and “more effective policy.” He expressed that the previous requirement to contact DHS created anxiety among Houstonians and his new policy aims to reduce fear within the community. In a statement, Whitmire said, “I have signed an executive order directing HPD to no longer contact ICE for nonviolent offenses, helping reduce fear in our communities.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security expressed disappointment with Whitmire’s decision, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE to arrest criminal illegal immigrants. The spokesperson referred to recent arrests in Houston, including individuals convicted of serious crimes, highlighting the importance of cooperation to ensure community safety.

Previously, a policy required Houston police to call a sergeant if a background check revealed an immigration-related warrant. If ICE could not arrive within 30 minutes, the person involved would be released. The Houston City Council approved an ordinance in April that limited how long officers could detain individuals while awaiting ICE agents. However, revisions were made after threats of losing more than $100 million in state funding and an investigation by then-Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Whitmire’s latest announcement marks a return to initial restrictions, limiting ICE notifications to incidents involving jailable offenses. This change aims to provide officers with more discretion in handling civil immigration warrants while maintaining community safety.