HOUSTON \u2013 Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Police Chief J. Noe Diaz are expected to address recent immigration-related concerns during a press conference scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Reporter Re\u2019Chelle Turner reached out to the mayor\u2019s office for more information about the press conference, but officials have not yet clarified exactly what prompted the announcement.<\/p>\n
However, several Houston City Council members have recently raised concerns about reports that Houston police officers have contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during routine traffic stops or encounters.<\/p>\n
In recent days, multiple council members have shared statements publicly on social media expressing concern about the reports.<\/p>\n
District J Council Member Edward Pollard posted on Instagram<\/a> and said the reports raise concerns about public trust between residents and law enforcement.<\/p>\n \u201cRecent reports that Houston Police officers have been contacting ICE during routine traffic stops where no criminal warrant exists should concern everyone who cares about trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,\u201d Pollard wrote in a public statement.<\/p>\n Pollard also called for more transparency from city leadership and asked that the Houston Police Chief address the issue publicly before City Council.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen policies may have been violated and people\u2019s lives could be impacted, Houstonians deserve more than a statement of disappointment. They deserve clear answers, accountability, and leadership,\u201d Pollard wrote.<\/p>\n He also warned that when local police interactions potentially lead to immigration enforcement, it can discourage people from reporting crimes or cooperating with investigations.<\/p>\n District I Council Member Joaquin Martinez <\/a>also expressed concern about how immigration enforcement could affect relationships between police and immigrant communities.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m disappointed by the recent findings regarding coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n Martinez said increased ICE activity has already strained relationships between police and immigrant communities.<\/p>\n \u201cActions that blur the line between local policing and federal immigration enforcement only make that trust harder to restore. HPD must remain focused on local public safety.\u201d<\/p>\n He also emphasized that residents should feel comfortable reporting crimes regardless of immigration status.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery Houstonian should feel safe reporting crime, seeking help, and engaging with local government \u2014 regardless of immigration status.\u201d<\/p>\n At-Large Council Member Alejandra Salinas<\/a> echoed similar concerns, saying families should not fear immigration consequences during routine interactions with police.<\/p>\n \u201cThese reports demand action to ensure Houston is not requiring cooperation with ICE beyond state law,\u201d Salinas said.<\/p>\n \u201cFamilies should not live in fear that a broken taillight or call for help could lead to a loved one being taken away by ICE. Our officers should be focused on serious crime \u2014 not serving as an accessory to federal immigration enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n What is HPD\u2019s current policy?<\/p>\n Under the Houston Police Department\u2019s current general order, officers must contact ICE when a warrant appears during a background check.<\/p>\n When officers run a person\u2019s name through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) or the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) databases, they are required to contact the agency associated with any warrant that appears.<\/p>\n That includes immigration authorities.<\/p>\n The policy states officers \u201cshall contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)\u201d if a database search returns a possible immigration warrant or hold.<\/p>\n In practice, that means officers notify ICE in the same way they would notify any other agency if a warrant appears.<\/p>\n What this means for Houstonians<\/p>\n City leaders say the issue is not about routine immigration enforcement by Houston police, but rather how officers respond when a federal warrant appears in a database search.<\/p>\n Supporters of the current policy say officers must notify the agency that issued a warrant \u2014 whether it\u2019s a county, state, or federal agency.<\/p>\n Critics worry the policy could create fear in immigrant communities, especially if residents believe routine traffic stops or calls for help could lead to immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n Those concerns have become part of a broader debate about how local law enforcement should interact with federal immigration authorities.<\/p>\n Proposed policy change<\/p>\n