Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said Friday that Police Chief Lisa Davis will rewrite the Austin Police Department’s general orders governing cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The change is intended to be in place when Democrat Gina Hinojosa, an Austin‑born former AISD trustee, assumes the governor’s office in January, replacing Republican Greg Abbott.
Watson told the Austin City Council that he asked Chief Davis to craft a policy that “aligns with Austin’s values” and remains effective under the new state leadership. He added that the city expects “less oversight” on its immigration‑enforcement policies once a Democratic administration takes office, allowing a better partnership with the state without “threats and undue pressure” on local decisions.
The upcoming revision follows two prior adjustments this year. In March, the department reduced ICE involvement after a Honduran woman and her five‑year‑old daughter were arrested and deported following an interaction with officers. Later, after a threat to withhold state funding from Abbott’s office, the department again tweaked its cooperation rules.
Under the latest draft, officers will be required to contact ICE “when operationally feasible” if a person has an ICE administrative warrant—a non‑criminal charge. The department will continue to notify ICE of individuals with warrants for violent crimes, a practice that has been consistent throughout the year.
State law Senate Bill 4, which bans so‑called sanctuary cities from blocking law‑enforcement cooperation with ICE, remains in effect. Watson emphasized that Austin will continue to comply with the law while seeking to alleviate what he described as a “policy of fear” created by higher levels of government.
Watson’s announcement coincides with a similar move in Houston. According to coverage on Google News, Mayor John Whitmire directed the Houston Police Department to limit routine ICE contacts after the recent Democratic sweep in Texas elections, citing “elections matter” as the rationale for the shift.
Both cities are positioning their police departments to respond to the anticipated changes at the state level while maintaining public safety responsibilities.
What’s next: The revised general orders are expected to be drafted and presented to the Austin City Council for approval before the end of the year, ahead of Governor‑elect Hinojosa’s inauguration in January.
Sources: kut.org, kut.org, news.google.com
