Houston mayor curbs cooperation of US city’s police with ICE
A narrower police policy
Whitmire issued the order on Friday, directing Houston police to limit contact with ICE to cases involving arrests for jailable offences. Police will no longer refer people stopped for minor traffic violations merely because they have an administrative immigration warrant.
Police Chief J Noe Diaz said he backed the change and that his department had started putting it into effect. Whitmire said he had spoken with Texas’s newly elected governor, lieutenant governor and comptroller before taking action.
Debate over local impact
Immigrant rights group FIEL Houston described the order as a victory, while saying it had come too late. Executive Director Cesar Espinosa said, “Today Houston won. Today our community can breathe easier.”
Other cities watching
Whitmire also described the order as a start toward healing. His announcement followed Democrats’ sweep of statewide offices in traditionally Republican Texas.
Key points
- The order ends referrals tied solely to administrative immigration warrants after minor traffic stops.
- The policy reverses a measure Whitmire adopted in April amid pressure from Governor Greg Abbott.
- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has asked officials to revise the city’s ICE-warrant policy.