Houston Mayor John Whitmire has ordered the city's police to stop calling ICE on anyone who isn't arrested for a jailable offense, and says he cleared it with the Democrats who just won Texas. "SB4 is not a priority of the new statewide elected officials," Whitmire told reporters Friday, three days after Gov. Greg Abbott lost his bid for a fourth term.
Lucio Vasquez/Houston Public MediaFILE – Houston Mayor John Whitmire at City Hall on May 8, 2024."This morning, I have directed the chief and HPD through an executive order that we will change our policy in regarding contact with ICE," the mayor said. "I do this to begin a healing process, reduce fear and anxiety across our community. I also do this knowing that elections matter."
After Democrats swept statewide elections in Texas, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Friday he has directed the Houston Police Department to change its policy on contact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying the move is intended to reduce fear and anxiety in the... pic.twitter.com/uQxCXWJV4M
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) November 6, 2026
He said he had been in contact with the incoming statewide officials, whom he said he knows from serving with them in the Legislature, and had "consulted the new
