HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is pushing for a closer look at how local law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities, saying clearer policies could help address growing fear and confusion in the community.
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Speaking Thursday following a Harris County Commissioners Court meeting, Hidalgo said commissioners discussed a proposal to study immigration-related policies across multiple law enforcement agencies in the county.
The item, placed on the agenda by Commissioner Rodney Ellis, would not immediately change policy but instead evaluate how agencies handle interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“This is simply an evaluation, a study,” Hidalgo said, adding the goal is to better understand existing practices across departments.
Multiple agencies, limited oversight
Hidalgo noted that several independent law enforcement agencies operate within Harris County, including the sheriff’s office, eight constable offices, and the Houston Police Department.
“All of these agencies can reach out to ICE,” she said.
Because those departments are led by independently elected officials, Hidalgo said neither she nor commissioners court can direct their actions.
“We cannot tell them what to do or what not to do,” she said.
Push for clarity amid legal and political tension
The discussion comes as immigration enforcement policies remain under scrutiny across Texas, including an ongoing dispute between Houston leaders and the state over cooperation with federal authorities.
Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to pull more than $100 million in funding from the City of Houston, alleging its policies violate state law.
Hidalgo pushed back on the idea that local governments are not complying with the law.
“Everybody, as far as I know in Harris County and in Houston, we all follow the law,” she said. “There are different interpretations… but nobody is disobeying any kind of detainers or requests.”
Concerns over fear, trust and public safety
Hidalgo said the lack of clarity around immigration enforcement is creating fear in the community, even among people who are not undocumented.
“Folks don’t know what to expect,” she said, adding some worry about where they could be taken if arrested or how they may be treated.
She pointed to data from Houston Independent School District showing a drop of about 4,000 immigrant students this school year — the first decline since the COVID-19 pandemic — which she attributed to increased immigration enforcement.
Hidalgo also said fear is impacting daily life, with some immigrants hesitant to go to school, the grocery store, or even contact law enforcement.
“That obviously degrades public trust,” she said.
Legal and financial questions ahead
Hidalgo also raised concerns about local resources being used for federal immigration enforcement, particularly as new laws are set to take effect.
“These are agencies that you pay with your tax dollars that are having to conduct federal law enforcement actions,” she said, calling it part of a broader legal fight over the role of local governments.
She added that reviewing policies could help provide transparency and accountability if local funds are being used in immigration-related enforcement.
“I’m not going to pretend that I have the power to change law enforcement,” Hidalgo said. “I’m a local official, not a federal.”