Houston Limits When Police Can Contact ICE

Houston Mayor John Whitmire has directed city police to limit when they contact federal immigration authorities, barring referrals based solely on a person’s suspected immigration status. The two-page directive permits contact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when someone is arrested on a charge subject to jail or when ICE issues an administrative warrant. The order says suspected immigration status alone cannot justify contacting ICE, extending a detention or taking someone into custody. An administrative warrant is an order signed by a senior ICE official indicating that a person is wanted by immigration authorities. The directive does not prevent contact under either of its stated exceptions. Whitmire said the policy is intended to focus enforcement on people who pose a danger and reduce fear and anxiety among Houston residents. He linked the change to the outcome of the Texas election, saying, “Elections matter.” The reports do not establish how police will apply the exceptions in day-to-day encounters. The directive follows an earlier change in Houston’s policy. In April, the City Council revised language limiting how long officers could wait for federal...