(Houston, Texas) — Apparently frustrated that the Houston City Council voted 12-5 last week to approve an ordinance that protects all communities from the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) overzealous collaboration with ICE, Texas leaders are deploying bullying tactics demanding the council undo its actions.
There are threats to yank millions in grant funds and a lawsuit if the ordinance—also supported last week by Mayor John Whitmire--is not revoked, all because top Texas leadership is outraged local officials chose to stand with immigrant communities.
The ordinance upholds Fourth Amendment rights, increases transparency and places legal limits on HPD interactions with ICE. The ordinance eliminated a requirement that officers wait 30 minutes for federal agents to pick people up on non-criminal ICE administrative warrants. It also required police leaders to document the HPD’s cooperation with ICE.
The ordinance greatly curtailed immigration enforcement cooperation between HPD and ICE. Collaboration with ICE is also a drain on our tax dollars, prioritizing overtime for HPD officers over infrastructure and other urgent needs that would benefit all Houstonians.
This ordinance is greatly needed as Houston, as well as other communities in Texas and beyond, have seen increased immigration law enforcement that has sometimes involved unlawful actions.
Susana Duran, Campaign Manager at Workers Defense Action Fund states, “Our members deserve dignity, respect, and safety; with this ordinance we are moving forward to ensure families in Houston can walk, work, drive, and breathe freely in their city. We are proud to stand with the champions of this work, Councilmembers Salinas, Kamin, and Pollard.”
Dayana Iza, Texas State Director with Mi Familia en Acción comments, “We applaud Houston City Council for standing steadfast in their commitment to protect Houstonians and defend the rights guaranteed to all people under the U.S. Constitution. Every day, immigrant and mixed-status families across Houston face uncertainty when they step out in our city, yet they still try and make the best effort to provide for their loved ones. The Mayor could learn a thing or two from the very people he claims to represent and protect.
“We believe that when families know their rights and make their voice heard in local government, everyone can thrive. We remain steadfast in our commitment to inform, empower, and organize families in Houston. Dignity, Not Deportation.”
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and @the_ILRC on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. Also follow us on Bluesky @the-ilrc.bsky.social, and on Facebook.