‘Sanctuary politicians’: DHS fires back at Houston mayor’s decision to limit HPD cooperation with ICE – Click2Houston

‘Sanctuary politicians’: DHS fires back at Houston mayor’s decision to limit HPD cooperation with ICE  Click2Houston

DHS criticized Houston’s new policy limiting when HPD contacts ICE and warned that reduced local cooperation could mean a more visible federal enforcement presence. The agency did not announce specific changes to ICE operations in Houston, while Mayor John Whitmire said the change aims to ease fear in immigrant communities and HPD will still contact ICE when someone with an administrative warrant is arrested for a jailable offense. HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is pushing back against Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s decision to limit when police officers contact federal immigration authorities, warning that reduced cooperation could result in a more visible ICE presence in the city. In a statement provided to KPRC 2 Friday afternoon, a DHS spokesperson criticized local officials who seek to restrict cooperation with U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, just hours after Whitmire announced changes to the Houston Police Department’s immigration enforcement procedures. “We remain disappointed that sanctuary politicians seek to limit cooperation with ICE, as our law enforcement are simply fulfilling their sworn duties to serve and protect our communities,” the spokesperson said. The response follows Whitmire’s announcement that HPD officers will no longer contact ICE solely because someone has an administrative immigration warrant during an encounter that does not result in an arrest. Under the new policy, officers will contact ICE when