Dallas council members to discuss police joining ICE program
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Dallas police officers responded to a shooting at an ICE facility this year. Photo: Stewart F. House/Getty Images
Dallas is not participating in a Department of Homeland Security program that would pay the salaries of police officers helping with mass deportations, but the mayor wants the police chief to explain why it isn't.
Why it matters: The program is funneling local law enforcement into President Trump's federal deportation plan to remove "millions" of immigrants.
- A state law that goes into effect in January requires Texas counties that operate a jail to have an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Driving the news: Dallas residents will have an opportunity Thursday to comment on the city's possible involvement in the federal program, known as 287(g).
- The Public Safety and Government Efficiency committees are hosting a joint meeting at 9am. Chief Daniel Comeaux will answer questions from City Council members.
Catch up quick: ICE began in October fully reimbursing agencies that participate in 287 (g) for the annual salary and benefits of each officer involved. The program gives local police the authority to enforce some immigration laws.
- Comeaux told the Dallas Community Police Oversight Board last month that he rejected the offer to participate in the program, which could've covered up to $25 million in officer salaries.
- Mayor Eric Johnson requested council committees be briefed on the decision, saying such decisions "should be made by elected policymakers after receiving public input."
Zoom in: Denton, Ellis, Rockwall and Tarrant counties have already signed memos with ICE to participate.
- Keller is the only North Texas police department to join.
- Only five other police departments in Texas have joined, per ICE records.
Between the lines: The city is trying to hire 720 more officers to comply with a measure passed by voters last year to employ 4,000 officers.
What they're saying: Comeaux said the department is focused on hiring and reducing the time it takes officers to respond to top-priority 911 calls. The average response time has risen from under 9 minutes in 2021 to more than 11 minutes this year.
- "Implementing this program would reassign officers under federal oversight, which could negatively impact response times and erode the public trust that our department has worked diligently to build," the chief wrote in a new memo.
Reality check: ICE is struggling to recruit new deportation officers, even while offering a signing bonus of up to $50,000.
- The federal agency is trying to add 10,000 agents, but many applicants don't meet physical standards.
- They must be able to do 32 sit-ups, 22 push-ups and a 220-yard timed sprint and must be able to run 1.5 miles in 14 minutes, 25 seconds.