Lucio Vasquez/Houston Public Media
Rodney Ellis at a press conference on Feb. 6, 2020.
Though Harris County commissioners cannot direct county-level policy on how elected law enforcement leaders coordinate with federal immigration officers — one is calling for the county to develop clear guidelines. And the county office tasked with that endeavor is set to be led by one of the orchestrators of a city policy that has sparked controversy.
Commissioner Rodney Ellis placed an item on Thursday’s commissioners court agenda to discuss the existing policies of county law enforcement — including the sheriff’s office and the offices of eight elected constables. The item, however, was moved to a closed-door executive session after questions about legal hurdles.
Ellis told Houston Public Media the item was prompted by the city’s recent ordinance to curtail the Houston Police Department’s coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The city council passed the measure last week but will consider repealing it next week amid a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and a threat by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to claw back more than $110 million in public safety grants for the city.
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While Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz was appointed and reports to the mayor, county law enforcement offices operate under elected leaders and as independent entities from Harris County Commissioners Court — creating potential legal barriers for establishing county-informed law enforcement practices.
Following the closed-door discussion Thursday, commissioners took no action on the item, but Ellis directed the county attorney’s office to develop guidelines on how county law enforcement should interact with federal immigration officers. In a statement on Thursday, Ellis said he’s committed to supporting immigrant communities and protecting the constitutional rights of county residents.
“As elected officials, we must use every lever of power within the bounds of the law to stand up to Trump’s violent ICE operation and keep all residents safe,” Ellis said, referring to President Donald Trump. “That’s why I have called on the County Attorney’s Office to explore clear, lawful guidelines for how Harris County law enforcement agencies engage with ICE in ways that honor the Constitution and comply with federal and state law.”
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Ellis did not specify a deadline for the county attorney’s office to return with guidelines on immigration enforcement. Establishing those practices could become Abbie Kamin’s responsibility as the interim county attorney as she was appointed to that role Thursday.
Dominic Anthony Walsh / Houston Public Media
Council member Alejandra Salinas, right, speaks to reporters with Abbie Kamin and Edward Pollard after an HPD-ICE policy change passed on April 8, 2026.
Following the recent resignation of former interim County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne, commissioners appointed Kamin to the position — one she is seeking full-time as the Democratic nominee in the November election. Her appointment will be effective on June 15.
Kamin is one of three city council members who pushed for the controversial ordinance, which prohibits city police officers from detaining people or prolonging traffic stops due to civil immigration warrants issued by ICE.
Earlier this week, Abbott issued city leaders an ultimatum — repeal the ordinance or lose millions of dollars in already-awarded public safety grants. Those grants cover police overtime, a task force addressing digital crimes against children and services for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Kamin will continue serving as a city council member, likely until May, when her successor is expected to be sworn in. During a phone call Friday with Houston Public Media, Kamin would not say how she will approach Ellis’ directive once she assumes the role of county attorney.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Thursday that more clearly defining the policies among county law enforcement offices will reduce uncertainty for the public.
“They would know if they were arrested or pulled over by a county law enforcement agency, what to expect,” Hidalgo said. “If your tax dollars are going to be used for these purposes, well, we ought to know exactly what they are doing, what it costs and be a little bit more accountable with it.”