Texas mayor instructs police to limit cooperation with ICE
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has issued an executive order limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration officials. The policy change restricts police from contacting ICE unless an arrestee has an administrative warrant for a jailable offense.
Why it matters
This shift represents a significant change in local-federal law enforcement relations and reflects broader political tensions regarding immigration policy in the U.S.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, John Whitmire is also calling on Congress to change immigration laws
The mayor of Houston, Texas, has directed the city's police to limit cooperation with federal immigration officials.
The move by John Whitmire, a Democrat, comes on the heels of stunning victories by the party in Texas during this week's midterm elections. It breaks with policy set by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who lost his re-election bid.
"I do this to begin a healing process," Whitmire said on Friday, and to "reduce fear and anxiety across our community". He added: "I also do this knowing that elections matter."
There has been months of public outcry in Houston after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a man who was driving to work.
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