HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — After two lethal shootings by the hands of federal brokers in Minnesota, round 100 individuals attended Tuesday’s Houston Metropolis Council assembly to demand that town finish all cooperation with ICE.
“Get ICE the (expletive) out of Houston!” Adam Laureano-Bowie shouted.
“John Whitmire, guess what? Bending the knee to Greg Abbott is not going to save this metropolis,” mentioned Hayley Rodgers.
Gov. Greg Abbott was among the many distinguished voices within the wake of the Alex Pretti taking pictures, calling on the Trump administration to rethink its immigration enforcement efforts.
“They, being the White Home, must recalibrate on what must be achieved to be sure that that respect goes to be re-instilled,” Abbott mentioned on Monday on the Mark Davis present.
In line with ICE figures obtained by the Deportation Information Venture, arrests within the ICE-defined Houston space elevated 130 % from 2024 to 2025.
“I completely disagree with Governor Abbott to recalibrate ICE. The individuals voted for mass deportations,” mentioned Maria Espinoza with The Remembrance Venture, a gaggle that highlights the tales of People killed by undocumented immigrants.
Not one of the individuals who spoke throughout Tuesday’s public remark session voiced help for immigration enforcement efforts.
Viana Truong, who mentioned her father was deported two weeks in the past, sought assurances from the mayor “for HPD to restrict cooperation with ICE the place attainable and to guard immigrant households who name this metropolis house.”
“You are all complicit by the best way,” Katya Licona instructed metropolis council members. “I do not care for those who’re talking up. You are not doing sufficient.”
Whereas the mayor stayed silent with reference to immigration enforcement on Tuesday evening, he beforehand mentioned HPD solely alerts ICE when officers come throughout somebody with an ICE warrant, like it could for a warrant from any company.
However many who spoke on Tuesday don’t desire HPD to do this.
“HPD ought to solely deal with native issues,” Councilman Edward Pollard mentioned.
“So ignore these warrants?” Eyewitness Information requested.
“HPD ought to solely deal with native issues,” Pollard responded.
Others say that might be a mistake. Of just about 3,600 Houston space ICE arrests over a six-week interval final 12 months, ICE mentioned 26 % had dedicated non immigration associated crimes.
“Collect your households and choose which one you’ll sacrifice for another person to supposedly have a greater life,” Espinoza mentioned in response to individuals calling for ICE to withdraw from Houston.
Eyewitness Information requested Whitmire’s workplace for a response to any of the feedback made at Tuesday’s assembly. His workplace launched an announcement praising the success of the assembly however avoiding any discuss of immigration enforcement.
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