Facing potential loss of state funding, the City of Dallas has amended its police policies to allow officers to inquire about immigration status and cooperate more fully with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Response to State Funding Threat

The city’s response comes after a warning from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who threatened to withhold millions of dollars in public safety and World Cup funding if Dallas did not align its policies with increased immigration enforcement efforts. A memo released by City Manager Kimberly Tolbert detailed the city’s commitment to maintaining eligibility for grant funding and fostering collaboration with state partners.

Changes to Police General Order

Amendments have been made to several sections of the Dallas Police Department’s (DPD) General Order 315.04, which previously restricted inquiries into a suspect’s immigration status. The revised policy now explicitly permits Dallas police officers to inquire about a suspect's immigration status during lawful interactions.

Increased Cooperation with ICE

The updated guidelines also allow for full cooperation with ICE agents when deemed necessary and authorize the sharing of immigration status information with federal officials. This marks a significant shift from the previous policy, which prohibited officers from prolonging detentions solely to investigate immigration status or hold individuals for federal authorities.

Clarification from Police Chief

Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux issued a statement clarifying the department’s position. He emphasized that officers will adhere to the law and cooperate with federal authorities when legally required. Chief Comeaux reiterated that the DPD’s primary function is to protect the safety of everyone in Dallas and that officers will not initiate stops solely to determine an individual’s immigration status.

Maintaining Community Trust

Chief Comeaux underscored the importance of maintaining trust within the community, assuring victims and witnesses that they should continue to feel safe reporting crimes without fear of immigration-related inquiries. He also highlighted the city’s recent success in reducing crime rates, attributing this progress to focused enforcement strategies and strong partnerships.

Funding at Stake

The city had previously received $22 million in grant funding for World Cup safety preparations. The threat of losing this funding, along with over $30 million in other grant money, prompted the policy revisions. Similar threats were issued to the cities of Houston and Austin, potentially jeopardizing over $110 million and $2.5 million in funding respectively.