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Texas Cities Alter Cooperation with ICE Amid Immigration Policy Changes
As various Democratic-led metropolitan areas in the United States continue their opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures, law enforcement in the two largest cities of Texas are now notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about encounters with undocumented immigrants. This shift comes after ICE issued administrative warrants aimed at approximately 700,000 unauthorized immigrants.
The Houston Chronicle reported that police in Houston, the largest city in Texas, are now mandated to contact federal immigration authorities whenever they identify an undocumented immigrant who has a federal administrative warrant. This protocol requires officers to liaise with ICE regarding measures for transferring the individual into federal custody, which might entail detaining them until ICE personnel arrive on the scene.
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT’S SHIFT TO ICE NOTIFICATION
According to the newspaper, this policy appears to be actively implemented. An instance cited involved the arrest of Jose Armando Lainez Argueta, a 40-year-old Salvadoran who was taken into custody by ICE following a routine traffic stop by Houston police, where his name surfaced in the system.
In a similar development, local news outlet News 4 San Antonio reported that San Antonio police have adopted a comparable strategy. Officers in the second-largest city in Texas will notify ICE officials regarding encounters with undocumented immigrants flagged in the National Crime Information Center system as having federal warrants.
An email distributed to officers in San Antonio laid out directives to “contact the ICE Law Enforcement Service Center … and request an ICE officer to arrive at the scene for the arrest.” The communication specified the types of individuals who might appear in the database, noting that these could include previously deported felons or those facing current immigration detainer orders.
INTERAGENCY COORDINATION ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
The San Antonio Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comments. However, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, which collaborates with ICE, confirmed to Fox News Digital that while it does not directly report illegal immigrant encounters to ICE, it coordinates with ICE regularly. The office allows immigration officials to interview individuals in county jails, sometimes up to “every three hours,” according to Deputy Sheriff Johnny Garcia.
ICE officials receive advance notice of 48 hours before the release of individuals from jail who have ongoing immigration detainers, ensuring that they can act promptly.
STATE SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been a vocal advocate for President Trump’s immigration policies. Garcia commented on their collaboration with ICE, framing it as a commitment to adherence to existing state and federal laws. “We do what is required of us by the law,” he stated, emphasizing the department’s commitment to lawful operations.
ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS IN HOUSTON
In light of these policy changes, a recent operation led by federal agents resulted in the apprehension of 646 undocumented immigrants in the Houston area. An ICE spokesperson indicated that while they refrain from discussing internal operational methods, the utilization of administrative arrest warrants is “a vital tool” for maintaining public safety and reducing fiscal burdens on law enforcement.
By implementing all lawful means to fulfill their responsibilities, ICE aims to enhance community safety while upholding the integrity of immigration laws. “This approach not only promotes public safety and national security but also mitigates risks faced by officers as they engage with potentially violent criminal elements in the community,” the spokesperson added.
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