Mayor John Whitmire issues executive order directing HPD to alter guidance on contact with ICE  

“Today, we’re changing the policy through this executive order,” Whitmire said. “I hope people understand why we’re doing this. It’s about reducing fear and anxiety, not just within certain communities, but across all of Houston.

“We don’t want people worrying about their jobs, their family members, or their students. This policy helps unify Houston. And, above all else, it advances my highest priority: public safety. It will help ensure that individuals charged with new jailable offenses, including violent crimes, are removed from our streets.”

Following the executive order, HPD Police Chief Noe Diaz sent out a department-wide memo to update the new process.

HPD will continue to call ICE on suspects linked to jailable offenses, which includes violent offenders.

“I will take responsibility for making this change, even with the current administration still in office for the next two months. As I’ve said many times, elections matter. I’ve been in contact with the new state leadership and bipartisan members of the Legislature. Quite frankly, this should be a nonpartisan issue.”

“As the mayor stated, the message is clear,” Diaz said. “ICE will only be contacted if someone commits a jailable offense. This means our officers will only contact ICE if someone they arrest also has an administrative ICE warrant.

“For example, if our police officers pull someone over for a minor traffic infraction and they write a citation, that person receives a citation and goes about their day. HPD will no longer contact ICE if they have an administrative warrant and they are not arrested.”