Three San Antonio City Council members have asked for a special meeting by Nov. 17 to consider limiting when police contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about a person in custody. The Office of the City Council said Council members Teri Castillo, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Ric Galvan submitted the request on Nov. 6.
Under the proposal, police could contact ICE about someone only if that person was already being taken to jail on new charges or other warrants and had a positive National Crime Information Center hit for an ICE administrative warrant. The proposal would also bar contacting ICE, extending a detention, or taking someone into custody solely because the person is, or is suspected of being, subject to immigration enforcement.
Castillo said in a Facebook post that local governments should not be indifferent to federal enforcement practices that separate families and create fear among residents. She said Texas cities have operated under state mandates requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Council members cited possible changes to state requirements after the Nov. 3 election as the reason for the request.
If approved, the city manager would work with the police chief to carry out the policy. Council members said implementation should clarify procedures for officers and booking personnel, document permitted ICE contacts, and ensure people are not held in the field solely for ICE pickup.