Houston mayor directs police to limit cooperation with ICE
According to the BBC, Houston Mayor John Whitmire has issued an executive order directing city police to limit cooperation with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Whitmire stated the move is intended to reduce fear and anxiety within the community and begin a healing process. Under the new policy, Houston police will only contact ICE if an individual arrested for a jailable offense also has an administrative warrant issued by the agency. This shift follows months of public outcry in Houston regarding the fatal shooting of a man by an ICE officer while he was driving to work. Police Chief Noe Diaz clarified that for minor traffic infractions, police will no longer involve federal immigration officials. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security criticized the decision, stating that such policies hinder law enforcement from fulfilling their duties. The move marks a departure from the policies of former Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who had previously threatened to withhold funding from cities that did not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities.