Austin, Texas, January 16, 2026
The Austin Police Department has revised its collaboration policy with ICE after an incident that led to the deportation of a mother and child, raising concerns about the impact on community trust. The updated guidelines allow for officer discretion when contacting ICE regarding individuals with administrative warrants, reflecting compliance with state law SB 4. The community’s responses are mixed, with some fearing increased ICE interaction could deter local law enforcement assistance. APD is committed to ongoing discussions with residents to maintain trust while adhering to legal obligations.
Austin Police Update ICE Cooperation Policy Amid Community Concerns
Austin, Texas – The Austin Police Department (APD) has announced revisions to its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following a recent incident that raised questions about the department’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
Policy Changes in Response to Recent Incident
On January 5, 2026, APD officers responded to a disturbance call and encountered a Honduran mother and her 5-year-old daughter. During the interaction, officers discovered an administrative warrant in a federal database and subsequently notified ICE. The mother and daughter were taken into federal custody, leading to their deportation. This event prompted scrutiny over APD’s procedures regarding ICE cooperation.
Clarification of APD’s Updated ICE Cooperation Policy
In response to the incident, APD Chief Lisa Davis issued a memorandum to the Austin City Council, outlining the department’s updated policy. The new guidelines permit officers to contact ICE when encountering individuals with administrative warrants, aligning with state law requirements. However, the policy emphasizes that officers are not mandated to do so, allowing for discretion based on the circumstances of each case.
Background on State Law and Local Policy
The revisions come in the wake of Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), a Texas state law enacted in 2017, which prohibits local entities from restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. While SB 4 does not require local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, it mandates that local agencies comply with federal requests related to immigration enforcement. APD’s previous policy did not explicitly address interactions involving administrative warrants, leading to inconsistencies in enforcement practices.
Community Reactions and Concerns
The policy change has elicited mixed reactions from the community. Some residents express concern that increased cooperation with ICE may deter individuals from seeking assistance from local law enforcement due to fear of deportation. Others argue that the revisions are necessary to ensure compliance with state laws and to clarify APD’s role in immigration enforcement.
Next Steps and Ongoing Discussions
APD has stated its commitment to maintaining open dialogue with the community and will continue to review and adjust its policies as needed. The department emphasizes that the updated guidelines aim to balance legal obligations with the need to foster trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What prompted the Austin Police Department to update its ICE cooperation policy?
The policy update was prompted by a January 5, 2026, incident where APD officers notified ICE after encountering a Honduran mother and her 5-year-old daughter with an administrative warrant, leading to their deportation. This raised questions about APD’s procedures regarding ICE cooperation.
What does the new APD policy entail?
The updated policy permits APD officers to contact ICE when encountering individuals with administrative warrants but does not mandate such action, allowing officers discretion based on the circumstances of each case.
How does Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) influence APD’s policy?
SB 4, enacted in 2017, prohibits local entities from restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. While it does not require local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, it mandates compliance with federal requests related to immigration enforcement, influencing APD’s policy revisions.
What are community reactions to the policy change?
Community reactions are mixed. Some residents are concerned that increased cooperation with ICE may deter individuals from seeking assistance from local law enforcement due to fear of deportation, while others believe the revisions are necessary to ensure compliance with state laws and clarify APD’s role in immigration enforcement.
What steps is APD taking moving forward?
APD is committed to maintaining open dialogue with the community and will continue to review and adjust its policies as needed, aiming to balance legal obligations with the need to foster trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Key Features of the Policy Update
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Policy Update | APD officers are permitted, but not required, to contact ICE when encountering individuals with administrative warrants. |
| State Law Compliance | The policy aligns with Senate Bill 4, which mandates local entities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. |
| Officer Discretion | Officers have discretion to decide whether to contact ICE based on the circumstances of each case. |
| Community Impact | The policy aims to balance legal obligations with maintaining trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the community. |
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