Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Friday that he is directing city police to scale back cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the New York Times. An executive order from the mayor says officers will no longer alert ICE when they encounter an undocumented migrant during routine traffic stops or other low-level infractions. The change differs from a policy set by Gov. Greg Abbott, who lost the midterm election to Democrat Gina Hinojosa.
Whitmire said the decision is meant to reduce fear in Houston's immigrant communities. He also said Tuesday's election results played a significant role. "I do this to begin a healing process," he said at the press conference. "I also do this knowing that elections matter."
Under the new policy, officers will alert ICE only when a person has been arrested and is being taken to, or has already arrived at, a county jail. "If they're charged with a new crime, we'll let ICE know as we get them to the jailhouse," Whitmire told the Times. Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said the department began carrying out the directive Friday and has given instructions to officers.