Major Texas cities now alerting ICE of illegal immigrants encountered
As many Democratic-run major cities across America continue to resist the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown, law enforcement agencies in Texas’ two largest cities are taking a different approach by alerting ICE of encounters with illegal immigrants.
In a recent development, Houston police officers are now directed to call federal immigration authorities whenever they come across an illegal immigrant with a federal administrative warrant. This new policy aims to streamline communication between local law enforcement and ICE, ensuring that individuals with administrative warrants are transferred to ICE custody promptly.
The Houston Chronicle reported the implementation of this policy, citing the case of Jose Armando Lainez Argueta, a Salvadoran national who was arrested by ICE after his name appeared in the system during a routine traffic stop by Houston police. This proactive approach by law enforcement in Houston is a significant shift from the sanctuary policies adopted by many other cities.
Similarly, San Antonio police officers have also been instructed to alert local ICE officials of encounters with illegal immigrants who have federal administrative warrants against them. An email obtained by News 4 San Antonio outlined the process for contacting ICE and requesting an officer to come to the scene for arrest.
The types of illegal immigrants who may trigger alerts include previously deported felons, individuals with removal orders, and those with civil immigration detainer orders. By collaborating with ICE, law enforcement in San Antonio aims to uphold federal immigration laws and ensure public safety.
While the San Antonio Police Department did not respond to requests for comment, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed its cooperation with ICE. Deputies in Bexar County regularly coordinate with immigration officials, allowing them to conduct interviews in county jails and provide notice of impending releases of individuals with immigration detainers.
This cooperative approach aligns with state and federal laws, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public safety and upholding immigration regulations. By working in tandem with ICE, law enforcement agencies in Texas are taking proactive steps to address illegal immigration and ensure community safety.
ICE has emphasized the use of administrative arrest warrants as a vital tool to protect public safety and reduce the burden on law enforcement resources. By aggressively pursuing individuals with administrative warrants, ICE aims to restore law and order in communities and uphold the nation’s immigration laws.
Overall, the collaboration between Texas law enforcement agencies and ICE reflects a commitment to ensuring public safety and enforcing immigration regulations. As the debate over immigration policies continues, these efforts demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing illegal immigration and maintaining community security.
