Whitmire limits Houston police cooperation with ICE
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An anti-ICE protest after the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Photo: Jacob Lujan/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
Houston Mayor John Whitmire signed an executive order Friday limiting police cooperation with ICE, days after Gov. Greg Abbott lost reelection.
Why it matters: Whitmire had faced criticism for complying with state and federal demands even as ICE enforcement intensified.
- He said he expects Houston's new approach to become a model for other cities.
The big picture: Under the directive, Houston police will contact ICE only when someone is being arrested on a jailable offense.
- "For example, if our police officers pull someone over for a minor traffic infraction and they write a citation, that person receives a citation and goes about their day. HPD will no longer contact ICE if they have an administrative warrant and they are not arrested," Police Chief Noe Diaz said, backing the move.
What they're saying: "I do this to begin a healing process, reduce fear and anxiety across our community," Whitmire said at a Friday news conference.
- "This is the right thing to do at the right time," he added. "Quite frankly, this should be a nonpartisan issue."
Zoom in: Under the previous policy, officers were instructed to wait a "reasonable amount of time" for federal agents to respond.
- Now, officers will contact ICE only when taking someone to jail on criminal charges. From there, it's up to Harris County to decide how to handle ICE's request.
- Diaz said the directive has already been distributed department-wide and will be read at every shift's roll call for five days, with another reminder expected in about a month.
Between the lines: Whitmire had repeatedly resisted calls to restrict HPD's interactions with ICE, citing the risk of angering Abbott and jeopardizing state funding.
- He defended his earlier approach, saying he had to protect Houston's finances and public services.
- He also framed the decision as a return to local control, saying he was willing to risk pushback from the outgoing state leaders and Washington. "I will take that risk, and I know I'm doing right."
The other side: "ICE killing a man in our city and running over another wasn't enough to move the mayor. I'm glad an election was," Houston City Controller Chris Hollins said in a statement, adding Whitmire's move is a "promising first step."
- Abbott's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Context: The change comes four months after an ICE agent shot and killed longtime Houston resident Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in July.
- Last week, a Harris County grand jury indicted ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales on an aggravated assault charge after prosecutors said he struck a man with his vehicle, breaking his leg.
The bottom line: Democrats' election victories are already reshaping policy, even before Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa and other Democrats take office.
- "Elections matter," Whitmire said. "New leadership, new policies, and that's what we're responding to."