This brief will focus on 2025 data gathered from the Houston Police Department (HPD) police reports coded as “immigration inquiry.” This brief will also takes a look at continuing trends in 2026. By analyzing the HPD data, we can anticipate future immigration enforcement patterns in Houston and provide data-driven policy recommendations to help disentangle these agencies.
After receiving $170.7 billion in additional funding through H.R. 1, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is finding new and dangerous ways to rapidly target and deport Texas residents. On August 31, 2026, DHS awarded GardaWorld Federal Services, a privately owned company, a $382 million contract to begin an armed 287(g) transportation scheme throughout the state.
This practice advisory analyzes the recent changes in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Policy Manual regarding the implementation of neighborhood investigations in naturalization adjudications. The advisory includes practical tips and considerations that practitioners should use when advising clients on applying for naturalization under this new policy.
USCIS recently announced that naturalization applicants may receive neighborhood visits to ask neighbors and/or co-workers questions about the applicant’s work, family status, social activities, travel, criminal history, and more. USCIS also acknowledged that it has discretion to waive these neighborhood visits. New USCIS guidance invites applicants to affirmatively submit two-character reference letters as consideration to waive the neighborhood visit. These letters are not required for naturalization eligibility. ILRC has created the following template letter to help applicants who choose to submit letters.
This resource takes a brief look at the history of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), how it was coopted by the Trump Administration and used as part of the larger enforcement mechanism in the U.S. We will look at the impact of adding ICE administrative warrants into NCIC, why the Houston Police Department’s entanglement goes beyond what state law requires and how this policy betrays Houstonians.