Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia has taken a firm stance against Houston Police Department’s ongoing cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She warns that such partnerships risk alienating immigrant communities, potentially eroding the essential trust between residents and law enforcement agencies. Garcia champions a policing model that prioritizes community safety without intensifying immigration enforcement, urging local authorities to concentrate on combating violent crime rather than enforcing federal immigration policies.

Garcia proposes a framework designed to safeguard civil liberties and foster stronger community ties, including:

• Restricting police collaboration with ICE strictly to cases involving federal court orders
• Enhancing transparency regarding any interactions between Houston Police and immigration officials
• Launching outreach initiatives to reassure immigrant populations and encourage cooperation
• Allocating resources primarily toward preventing violent crimes instead of immigration enforcement