{"id":139046,"date":"2026-01-26T23:29:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T23:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/139046\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T23:29:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T23:29:10","slug":"mayor-whitmire-denies-rumors-of-ice-officials-patrolling-houston-warming-centers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/139046\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Whitmire denies rumors of ICE officials patrolling Houston warming centers"},"content":{"rendered":"

HOUSTON \u2013 Houston Mayor John Whitmire<\/a> forcefully denied rumors that federal immigration agents have been monitoring warming centers across Houston.<\/p>\n

The mayor called the allegations \u201cmean-spirited\u201d and urged Houston-area residents not to let misinformation keep them from seeking shelter. <\/p>\n

The clarification comes as Southeast Texas deals with temperatures officials have called \u201clife-threatening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me emphasize that\u2014not only this shelter, each warming center is open to every resident of Houston, Texas,\u201d Whitmire said Monday. \u201cThere were some disruptors that had spread word that ICE was monitoring these centers. There is absolutely zero evidence of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

LIST: Houston closures, delayed openings for Monday due to winter weather<\/a><\/p>\n

Whitmire stressed that every person who shows up to a warming center will be welcomed in, \u201cno questions asked.\u201d <\/p>\n

He added that warming centers that have reached capacity have also transported citizens in need to other locations, specifically mentioning the Denver Harbor and Fifth Ward centers as places that have handled overflow.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if we\u2019re at capacity, we take care of you,\u201d Whitmire said. \u201cAnd we sure as heck don\u2019t ask you who you are or where you\u2019re coming from. We don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harris County Pct. 4 Commissioner Leslie Briones, who joined Mayor Whitmire at the press conference at Bayland Community Center, reiterated the mayor\u2019s \u201cno questions asked\u201d approach about citizens seeking shelter, adding that Houstonians are also encouraged to bring their pets to the centers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have a crate, please bring it,\u201d Commissioner Briones said.<\/p>\n

ALSO: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis give winter weather updates during visit at warming center<\/a><\/p>\n

OTHER DETAILS FROM THE PRESSER<\/p>\n

Commissioner Lesley Briones, Mayor John Whitmire on the Ground with Residents at 24-Hour Bayland Warming Center https:\/\/t.co\/F0KsE1sj8b<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Commissioner Lesley Briones (@HCP4__Briones) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Warming center updates and information<\/p>\n

At 3 p.m. on Monday, the mayor joined Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones and Harris County Fire Marshal Chief Laurie L. Christensen at Bayland Community Center, which has been operating as a 24-hour warming shelter in partnership with the American Red Cross. <\/p>\n

The facilities are providing warm shelter, hot meals, health care services and access to case workers as extreme cold continues across the region.<\/p>\n

Whitmire thanked Briones and county staff for their coordination with the city, noting that collaboration is critical during emergencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe realize we represent the same individuals, so we collaborate. We bring people together,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want everyone to know that we are open 24-seven.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of these employees have slept on the floor to make sure Houstonians are helped,\u201d he said. \u201cI was here yesterday, I\u2019m here today, and I\u2019m seeing dedicated employees. It\u2019s really why we run for office.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Houston is moving forward as the freeze continues<\/p>\n

The mayor said the city will conduct a formal assessment at noon Tuesday to determine how long warming centers should remain open. <\/p>\n

Officials are also monitoring water pressure issues and preparing for another round of winter weather expected next weekend.<\/p>\n

Briones added that the centers are in close communication about their various capacities to make sure that citizens are adequately distributed across the centers. She said there are currently around 80 available beds at the Bayland center where the presser took place.<\/p>\n

As Houston remains under an extreme cold warning through Tuesday, Whitmire praised city employees\u2014particularly water department crews\u2014who are working extended hours to prevent pipe failures and maintain service.<\/p>\n

Whitmire thanked residents for staying off the roads during the freeze, saying fewer drivers helped limit wrecks across the city.<\/p>\n

He also urged Houstonians to take precautions as overnight temperatures drop further, warning that the cold could be deadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, will be very, very severe, life-threatening temperatures,\u201d Whitmire said. \u201cLook out for your pipes. Pipes don\u2019t freeze\u2014it\u2019s the water that freezes in them.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE: How to check if your pipes are frozen and what to do immediately<\/a><\/p>\n

Residents are encouraged to drain or drip pipes, bring pets indoors and use available warming centers as long as the dangerous cold persists.<\/p>\n

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