ICE enforcement targets Texas
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Efforts to arrest and remove unauthorized immigrants appear most aggressive in Texas and other southern states with Democratic-leaning cities, according to an Axios analysis.
Why it matters: The Axios review sheds light on where the Trump administration is dispatching resources to support its mass deportation plan.
Driving the news: Hundreds of people rallied in downtown Dallas yesterday to show solidarity with Los Angeles, where President Trump deployed the National Guard in response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- At least one person was detained during last night's Dallas rally, where protesters chanted "ICE, ICE, shut it down" and "unite and fight for immigrant rights," per the DMN.
The big picture: Axios reviewed removal orders, pending deportation cases and agreements between immigration officials and local law enforcement agencies.
- The analysis shows local law enforcement agencies in Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia have been most cooperative with ICE in rounding up immigrants through deals known as 287(g) agreements.
- Nationwide, 629 of the agreements are in place. Over 90 — roughly 14% — are in Texas alone.
Zoom in: Dallas County does not have a 287(g) agreement, but neighboring Tarrant, Rockwall, Hood and Parker counties have one.
- And ICE raids have continued in North Texas. Last month, ICE agents arrested several immigrants as they arrived at Dallas' federal courthouse for scheduled hearings.
- ICE's Dallas office announced yesterday that 122 people from ages 16-68 were deported to China on June 3.
The other side: Immigration advocates are criticizing ICE's partnerships with local authorities, saying the pacts harm communities and public safety.
- "It means that communities are less likely to trust local police and report crime," said Nayna Gupta, policy director of the American Immigration Council.
What's next: Senate Bill 8, which would require most Texas sheriffs to work with federal immigration authorities, is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature.