Democratic Houston Mayor John Whitmire on Friday signed a directive limiting the city’s cooperation with ICE saying “elections matter” after Democrats won statewide in Texas.
He called it “a new model” of immigration enforcement that focuses on immigrants “that pose a danger, not those that are going about their family business, work and education.”
I have signed an executive order directing HPD to no longer contact ICE for nonviolent offences, helping reduce fear in our communities. Thank you to Chief Diaz, our state and local leaders for their collaboration. A step toward building a stronger Houston. Let’s Go to Work. https://t.co/r5jshAdqWS
— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) November 6, 2026
Under the order, Houston police may contact ICE only if a person is arrested on a jailable charge or ICE presents an administrative warrant. Suspected immigration status alone cannot justify contacting ICE or extending a detention.
“Today Houston won,” Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, an immigrant rights group, told AP. “The City of Houston city council had already decided this months ago.”
Conservative commentator Eric Daugherty responded on X: “Houston TX mayor just ordered cops to SCALE DOWN ICE communication as Democrat Gina Hinojosa is about to take over as Governor. And so it begins.”
JUST IN: Houston TX mayor just ordered cops to SCALE DOWN ICE communication as Democrat Gina Hinojosa is about to take over as Governor
And so it begins.
Trump said yesterday he’s gearing up to REINFORCE the southern border when she takes resources away from the border… pic.twitter.com/obWrQPTVWw
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 6, 2026
[NOTE: Many commenters on X aligned with Daugherty, with one writing: “Mayor Whitmire, if someone violates federal immigration law, why should local police be discouraged from notifying ICE? Public safety and immigration enforcement aren’t mutually exclusive.”]
Governor-elect Hinojosa, who defeated Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, has said “we need secure borders, absolutely,” but “targeting hard-working long-standing members of our community is not making us more secure.”
She has called Operation Lone Star, Abbott’s border mission, “political theatre,” and said “we need a review” of it.
A new governor “can’t rewrite immigration laws,” Kristin Etter of the Texas Immigration Law Council told The Texas Tribune, but state resources are a lever Hinojosa can pull. The Tribune notes the 5th Circuit ruled in April that Texas can enforce SB 4, its state immigration enforcement law, while litigation continues.
Asked in the Oval Office on Thursday whether he is ready to reinforce the Texas border, President Donald Trump said: “I am sure that the new governor is going to want to have security on this Texas border. And if they don’t continue my policies, I will.”