Houston to limit police cooperation with federal immigration authorities
Summary
Houston Mayor John Whitmire ordered police to contact federal immigration authorities only in specified cases, including when someone is arrested on a charge that allows jail or ICE issues an administrative warrant. The directive comes after an ICE-involved shooting in Houston and amid changes in Texas politics following the midterm elections.Key Facts
- The directive says suspected immigration status alone cannot justify contacting ICE, extending detention, or taking someone into custody.
- Police may contact ICE if a person is arrested on a charge subject to jailing or if ICE issues an administrative warrant.
- Whitmire said the city would focus on immigrants who pose a danger, rather than people going about family, work, and education.
- In July, ICE agents shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a Houston traffic stop while reportedly looking for other people.
- In October, prosecutors charged ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales with aggravated assault after he allegedly struck Miguel Parra Hernandez with a vehicle during a pursuit; Parra Hernandez suffered a broken leg.
- The article says ICE has signed about 2,600 agreements with local and state agencies to help enforce immigration laws.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott lost his bid for a fourth term to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, according to the article.
- Fiel Houston executive director Cesar Espinosa said the city council had decided on the policy months earlier and called for it to be implemented.
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