According to U.S. Census data, areas in Southeast Texas like Harris County, where about 30% of the population is foreign-born, may be particularly affected by President Donald Trump’s proposal to carry out mass deportations.
It’s unclear, though, if law enforcement in the Houston region would support immigration enforcement.
Houston Public Media contacted a number of public safety organizations in Southeast Texas to inquire about their plans to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the event of a raid in the area.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman stated that their goal is to “keep Harris County safe for everyone.” A representative for the Houston Police Department reiterated this view, stating that the department’s main goal was to lower violent crime in the city.
Neither agency acknowledged or even confirmed whether they would assist federal officials in the event of raids in the Houston region.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez chose to terminate the county’s collaboration with ICE in order to have local deputies act as immigration officers under the 287(g) program when he was first elected in 2016.
Former President Joe Biden nominated Gonzalez to head ICE in 2021. During a confirmation hearing, U.S. senators questioned the sheriff about his previous positions on his department’s collaboration with the federal agency. Ultimately, the sheriff pulled his name from consideration.
Additionally, a few local law enforcement organizations outside of Harris County would not indicate if they would assist with ICE operations. Liberty County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy William Knox said they “have not heard or received anything about potential immigration raids” in the county, which is northeast of Houston.
“Furthermore, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has not discussed it in depth due to all the unknowns,” Knox stated.
A request for comment from newly elected Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen was not answered. The Sheriff’s Office of Waller County chose not to comment.
