Dallas police reassure immigrants while Texas leaders push for more police involvement
DPD chief reassures immigrant fears amid raids
Some Texas Republican leaders want local police more involved as those same departments try to ease fears in the immigrant community.
DALLAS - President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has been largely spearheaded by ICE and other federal agencies.
Some Texas Republican leaders want local police more involved as those same departments try to ease fears in the immigrant community.
Dallas’ interim police chief appears to be sending a message to undocumented immigrants that they should not be fearful to report crimes because of their status.
What they're saying:
Inside League of United Latin American Citizens in Oak Cliff, LULAC Council President Hilda Duarte says some undocumented immigrants in the community might be fearful to report crimes to law enforcement even if they are a victim.
"They believe that if they contact police or report a crime, their immigration status will come up. They may have the risk of being deported," said Duarte.
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On Wednesday, Dallas Police Department Interim Chief Michael Igo released a video appearing to provide reassurance to undocumented community members.
"There are no changes to how the city of Dallas and DPD will provide services," he said. "This also means that if you are a victim of a crime, you have the right to report it, regardless of immigration status."
What we know:
Last Sunday, ICE arrested more than 84 targets in the Dallas area.
ICE’s Dallas division has not provided numbers since then but says it’s conducting daily apprehensions.
Meanwhile, a post on the X account for ICE’s national headquarters highlighted the arrest of a Dallas man named Jeering Alcides Godoy Linares. The post lists his crimes as assault and evading arrest; it doesn’t specify whether he’s been convicted.
Big picture view:
Criminologist Alex Del Carmen says local law enforcement agencies all know their job is to enforce local and state laws and not federal laws, like ones surrounding immigration.
"There is no one in the law enforcement community in local law enforcement in the state of Texas that would oppose supporting a fellow federal agent in arresting a violent criminal," he said.
Wednesday, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick listed his legislative priorities which include Senate Bill 8, requiring law enforcement to assist the federal government’s deportation efforts.
It’s unclear to what extent of cooperation that bill hopes to achieve, but Del Carmen says cooperation is already happening.
"I understand that there may be a requirement that they assist ICE or that they assist other entities at the federal level," said Del Carmen. "That assistance is already taking place. We have task forces with federal agencies across the state of Texas."
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"I agree with the portion of seeking those that are criminals," Duarte said.
However, the LULAC president says there’s anxiousness in her community — even for undocumented immigrants who have been obeying local and state laws.
"They don’t want to be bringing attention to themselves," she said.
What's next:
Meanwhile, Austin’s mayor told the Texas Tribune on Wednesday that police in the capital city are not assisting federal agents in the president’s immigration crackdown. It's unclear if any other police departments plan to follow suit.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Dallas Police Department, Criminologist Alex Del Carmen and previous FOX 4 coverage.