Texas House Advances Bill Mandating Sheriff Collaboration with ICE

The Texas House has taken initial steps towards a controversial piece of legislation, receiving preliminary approval on Saturday for a bill compelling sheriffs across the state to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This move requires local jails to fulfill federal immigration warrants.

Senate Bill 8 garnered an 89-50 vote in the House, following an amendment by GOP state Representative David Spiller, the bill’s sponsor. Initially, the legislation applied solely to counties with populations exceeding 100,000. However, the recent changes extend its applicability to all counties in Texas, as reported by both FOX 7 and The Texas Tribune.

David Spiller emphasized the intent of the bill, clarifying that it does not aim to reform immigration laws. Instead, he described it as the strongest border security initiative that could be achieved during the current legislative session.

The bill is not yet final. It requires one more vote in the House before returning to the Senate, which must approve the amendments. Subsequently, both chambers will need to resolve any discrepancies before it can reach the desk of Republican Governor Greg Abbott.

Governor’s Stance on Bill

Governor Abbott has made his position clear: local governments in Texas must engage fully with federal efforts to apprehend, detain, and deport undocumented immigrants. Eduardo Leal, the Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Abbott, conveyed in a statement to The Texas Tribune that the Governor will review this proposed legislation, as he does with any bills that align with his goals regarding immigration enforcement.

Mechanics of the Bill

Under the provisions of the bill, county sheriffs will be mandated to seek partnerships with ICE through agreements known as 287(g). These agreements are designed to empower local law enforcement to engage in specific immigration enforcement activities within jails.

These activities include interrogating inmates regarding their immigration status and executing administrative warrants. Furthermore, local officers may also be authorized by ICE to inquire about immigration status during routine operations such as DUI checkpoints. This particular strategy has recently resurfaced under the Trump administration, reinstating a practice previously criticized for potentially fostering racial profiling.

Consequences for Noncompliance

The legislation presents serious implications for sheriffs who choose not to comply. The Texas attorney general would be granted the authority to file lawsuits against sheriffs who do not adhere to the mandatory agreements. Sheriffs must at least establish a