The Houston City Council is scheduled to vote on a significant ordinance regarding interactions between the Houston Police Department (HPD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 8th. The proposed ordinance has become a focal point of discussion, drawing strong opinions from residents and city officials.

Background and Initial Proposal

The ordinance was initially proposed by council members Alejandra Salinas, Abbie Kamin, and Edward Pollard. It aimed to clarify the extent of HPD’s cooperation with ICE, particularly concerning non-criminal immigration warrants. The original proposal sought to codify that HPD would not be required to contact ICE for these types of warrants.

Mayor Whitmire's Response and Public Criticism

Mayor John Whitmire has faced criticism, with some referring to his approach as prioritizing ICE detainment. A key aspect of the initial agreement between HPD and ICE, as outlined by Police Chief Noe Diaz, stipulated a 30-minute response time for ICE to respond to situations involving non-criminal immigration warrants.

Key Provisions and Legal Challenges

The ordinance also included provisions to end routine traffic stops once the lawful purpose is complete, and to require frequent reports from HPD detailing their interactions with federal immigration agents. However, City Attorney Arturo Michel removed a crucial provision stating HPD is not required to call ICE for administrative immigration warrants.

Concerns Over Removed Provision

Michel deemed the removed provision unlawful for adoption as a city ordinance, leading to concerns that the ordinance had been “watered down.” Despite this, some council members expressed a willingness to pass the remaining provisions, viewing them as an improvement over the current situation. Councilmember Salinas stated the focus is to pass the approved provisions and then address the unlawful one.

Public Testimony and Diverse Perspectives

A public comment session on March 31st saw over 100 residents voice their opinions. The majority of speakers supported the ordinance, while a few expressed support for HPD’s cooperation with ICE. One resident who became a naturalized citizen emphasized the importance of law enforcement having the ability to verify legal status.

Community Advocacy and Concerns

Advocates highlighted the impact of ICE actions on the Houston community, citing fear within immigrant communities and a decline in school attendance among immigrant children. They pointed to policies in other Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and Bexar County that do not require officers to contact ICE based solely on civil administrative warrants.

Next Steps and Ongoing Debate

The ordinance is set for a vote on Wednesday, April 8th. Supporters are urging council members to approve the remaining provisions and continue working to address the removed provision. The debate underscores the complex relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration policies in a diverse city like Houston.