Texas mayor limits police cooperation with ICE

Mayor John Whitmire of Houston issued an executive order directing the city's police department to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Under the new policy, Houston police will only contact ICE if an individual they arrest for a jailable offense also has an internal ICE warrant, which is issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

Previously, Houston officers were required to inform ICE if someone they encountered had an ICE warrant listed in the National Crime Information Center database.

Whitmire stated the policy change aims to 'begin a healing process' and 'reduce fear and anxiety' in the community, while emphasizing the importance of elections.

A DHS spokesperson criticized the decision, stating that law enforcement is fulfilling its duty to protect communities and that partnerships with federal agencies are essential for addressing immigration enforcement.

The move comes as Texas, a traditionally Republican state, saw significant Democratic gains in the midterm elections, including the election of its first Latina governor and its first Democratic senator since 1988.