Uncertainty Persists: What’s Dallas Police’s Role In ICE’s North Texas Crackdowns?

Federal immigration officers in North Texas say they have recently arrested multiple foreign nationals with criminal histories ranging from fentanyl trafficking to sexual offenses, as a debate intensifies over the Dallas Police Department’s role in such enforcement efforts.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Dallas field office announced several arrests over the past week. It is unclear to what extent the Dallas Police Department assisted with any of these cases:

Recent ICE Enforcement Actions

The arrests come as Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux faces renewed pressure to clarify his department’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson of Dallas sent Comeaux a letter on August 12 stating, “Recent public statements, community forums, and media reports have raised questions about the Dallas Police Department’s position on ICE detention practices and the 287(g) program. These instances raise critical civil rights concerns and can damage trust between immigrant communities and local police, particularly when reports surface of individuals being detained without clear identification or justification.”

The issue has been under discussion by the city’s Community Police Oversight Board. In April, the City Attorney’s office reportedly prevented Comeaux from answering specific immigration-related questions at a meeting, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

The matter returned to the spotlight after a surge of public comment at last week’s city council meeting.

In response, City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert issued a memo stating the city is committed to following “all relevant laws and regulations regarding immigration.” She wrote, “Dallas’ strength is the rich tapestry of our communities. DPD will continue to enforce city and state laws while upholding the constitutional rights of residents. The federal government is primarily responsible for enforcing immigration laws.”

Comeaux has previously reportedly told WFAA that the department’s policy has not changed. “As always, we’re going to cooperate. We’re going to assist our federal partners when needed. And when asked to do anything legally, we’ll be there to support them,” he said in July.

Some members of the oversight board, including Brandon Friedman, have criticized those responses as vague and possibly crafted by the city attorney’s office, while others, including LULAC Dallas Chapter President Rene Martinez, have expressed confidence in the department’s handling of immigration-related matters.

287(G) is an almost 30-year-old program that allows federal authorities to delegate certain immigration enforcement actions to state and local officials under the agency’s direction and oversight.

“The 287(g) Program enhances the safety and security of our nation’s communities by allowing ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the U.S.,” the ICE website states.