Houston mayor limits police cooperation with ICE after Democratic wins – The Texas Tribune

Houston mayor limits police cooperation with ICE after Democratic wins  The Texas Tribune

Houston police will stop contacting ICE during traffic stops when drivers aren’t arrested, even if they have immigration warrants. The change follows pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott to maintain cooperation. The election is over, but the work of holding Texas officials accountable is just beginning. Help us pursue the truth. Every gift makes a difference. Houston Mayor John Whitmire directed police to limit cooperation with immigration officers during traffic stops — months after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold millions in state funding over the city’s past restrictions on cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I do this to begin a healing process — reduce fear and anxiety across our community,” Whitmire said during Friday’s news conference.

“I also do this knowing that elections matter.” The announcement comes after Democrats won statewide elections this week for top offices after years of Republican dominance. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa ousted Abbott and had been critical of Abbott’s immigration policies. Whitmire said his executive order tells police officers to contact ICE officers only for a jailable offense and if a suspect has an ICE warrant. Houston police will cite and release people for nonviolent cases. “It’s to reduce the fear and anxiety, not just in some of our communities but across Houston,” Whitmire said at a Friday press conference. Houston Police Chief J. Noe