Houston residents will see a shift in how local law enforcement handles immigration matters after Mayor John Whitmire announced an executive order that bars the Houston Police Department from notifying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when officers encounter individuals involved in nonviolent offenses such as traffic stops or minor infractions. The change, reported by Fox News, marks a reversal of a policy adopted earlier this year that allowed limited cooperation with ICE.
Whitmire told The New York Times that the city will still inform ICE if a person is charged with a new, more serious crime and is taken to jail, but “non‑jailable, nonviolent contacts” will no longer trigger a federal notification. In a statement released Friday, the mayor said the decision is intended to “reduce fear in our communities” and described it as “responsible” and “more effective policy.” He thanked Chief Noe Diaz and other local leaders for their collaboration.
The Department of Homeland Security, a key agency of the President Trump administration, expressed disappointment with the mayor’s move. In comments to Fox News Digital, a DHS spokesperson said, “We remain disappointed that sanctuary politicians seek to limit cooperation with ICE, as our law enforcement are simply fulfilling their sworn duties to serve and protect our communities.” The spokesperson added that “partnerships with law enforcement are critical to having the resources we need to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the country.”
Critics of the policy point to recent ICE arrests in Houston, including Cuban national Alexander Montano, convicted of homicide and burglary, Vietnamese national Ding Nguyen, also convicted of homicide, and Guatemalan national Julio Camey, convicted of a child sex offense. The DHS spokesperson highlighted these cases to argue that limiting ICE notifications could allow dangerous individuals to remain in the community.
Mayor Whitmire’s decision follows a series of legal and financial pressures on the city. In April, the Houston City Council approved an ordinance limiting how long officers could detain individuals while awaiting ICE agents after former Governor Greg Abbott threatened to withhold more than $100 million in state funding for non‑compliance. Attorney General Ken Paxton also launched an investigation into Houston’s immigration policies. Earlier in March, Whitmire and Police Chief Diaz had instituted a policy that required a sergeant to oversee ICE involvement when a background check revealed an immigration‑related warrant, with a half‑hour deadline for ICE arrival before release.
What’s next: Mayor Whitmire said the city will monitor the impact of the new policy and remain open to adjustments. The administration plans to work with state and federal officials to address public‑safety concerns while maintaining the city’s commitment to community trust.
Sources: foxnews.com
