Houston (United States) (AFP) – Houston limited the collaboration of its police with immigration agents, days after the Democratic victory in the midterm elections that meant the defeat of the Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, a supporter of President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

First modification: 11/09/2026 - 11:28

Under the new provision announced Friday by Mayor John Whitmire, police will only contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when a person is arrested for a jail-worthy crime, not during routine encounters such as traffic stops.

"This is about reducing fear and anxiety, not just in some of our communities, but throughout Houston," Whitmire said at a press conference.

In April, Abbott had threatened to withdraw $110 million in public safety grants from Houston unless the city repealed an ordinance limiting its cooperation with ICE. The local authorities relented.

The mayor justified his decision at that time. "It's easy for critics to say we have to confront them, when they're not the ones who have to approve the city budget," he said.

But after the Democratic tsunami in the November 3 elections, Abbott lost his attempt to win a fourth term. In January, Texas will have its first Latina governor, Democrat Gina Hinojosa.

The mayor recognized that his decision may bring risks and he is willing to assume them, since there are still just over two months of the Republican administration.

ICE reacted to the announcement. "By the way, viewing child pornography and selling heroin are classified as 'non-violent crimes'. This is the mayor of Houston directly advocating for policies that protect some of the worst criminals in America," he responded on his X account.

Texas is the state with the most arrests made by ICE from the beginning of the second Trump administration until August 2026, totaling 136,914, according to the nonpartisan organization Prison Policy Initiative. In addition, it is the one with the largest number of migrants concentrated in its detention centers.

In July, Mexican Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52 years old and who had lived in Houston for more than three decades, was shot dead by an immigration agent during an operation where he was not the target.

In October, Miguel Parra Hernández, also a Mexican, 48, was run over by another agent and injured. ICE assured that the man crossed in front of the vehicle but images from a security camera contradict that version, according to prosecutors.

A grand jury in Harris County, where Houston is located, indicted the officer for aggravated assault.

© 2026 AFP

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