Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Friday the city will limit its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said the city would focus on immigrants who pose a danger. He said people going about work, school and family life would not be the focus. Whitmire said the city would not contact ICE over nonviolent offenses that cannot lead to jail, such as minor traffic incidents, where police may write a citation or give a warning. He said the change would reduce fear and anxiety. Details are to be set out in an executive order.
The move comes after Tuesday's election, in which Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in his bid for a fourth term. Abbott has closely aligned the state with the Trump administration on enforcing federal immigration laws.
Immigration enforcement in Houston has drawn protests this year after an ICE officer fatally shot a Mexican homebuilder and another officer struck a man with a car. A grand jury last week indicted ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors said he intentionally rammed a car into Miguel Parra Hernandez. ICE has said Parra Hernandez ran in front of the vehicle, an account prosecutors say video contradicts.