Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the city of Dallas and is questioning whether police are violating state law by refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“The law is not an option. Local governments do not have the authority to ignore state and federal immigration laws,” Paxton said in a news release an investigation.
Newsweek contacted the Dallas Police Department for further comment via email outside of business hours.
Why is it important?
Texas has become a flashpoint for national conversations about immigration as border and border patrols tackled illegal intersections by thousands of immigrants along the tropical borders under the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump has vowed to use all state and federal resources available to carry out the largest deportation operation in US history. Paxton’s research highlights the difference between the Republican administration’s hard-line immigration agenda and policies that are counter to mostly democratically run cities.
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What do you know
Paxton has launched an investigation following comments from interim chief Michael Igo in February that the Dallas Police Department would not support the federal agency in detaining individuals based solely on immigrant status.
In response, the Attorney General’s Office officially requested documents such as records, policies, training materials and communications regarding the treatment of the city’s immigration law enforcement agencies.
Paxton said local governments must comply with state and federal laws. He warned that his office would pursue legal action against all entities that implement “sanctuary policies” that threaten public safety.
In Texas, Senate Bill 4 (SB4), introduced in 2017, prevents cities from adopting sanctuary policies and requires local law enforcement to work with federal immigration authorities. If the city or staff fails to comply, the state may impose penalties or take legal action.
Non-compliance violations can result in civil penalties, including fines ranging from $1,000 to $25,500 for each violation.
Last month, officers at the Dallas Police Department reportedly told immigrants at church services that they understood concerns about Trump’s immigration policies.
Dallas police attended a community event with immigrant groups in the city amid growing concern among immigrant communities without legal status.
During church services, the IGO assured participants that his officers would not support immigration and customs enforcement in increasing operations. He said his officers would not detain or report any undocumented individuals who contacted 911 or stopped due to a traffic violation.
According to CBS News, Igo told the audience. He added that anyone with a criminal warrant against them will likely be arrested.
In 2022, Texas had at least 5.1 million immigrants, according to an analysis by the American Council on Immigration, that number included 1.8 million without legal status. That number could have been rising over the past few years.
What people are saying
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a news release Thursday: “Texans hope that law enforcement will maintain public safety, not implementing sanctuary policies that put their communities at risk.
“The federal government is primarily responsible for enforcing immigration laws. The city of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department (DPD) will continue to address the needs of our communities and promote public safety for our residents,” the city of Dallas in a statement to Newsweek on February 13th.
Andrew Mahallelis, spokesman for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, told Newsweek on February 13th. Operations across Dallas and state. ”
Keith Self, who works for Texas’ Third Congressional District, told Newsweek in an interview in February:
What will happen next
The Texas Attorney General’s Office will review documents and communications requested by the City of Dallas to determine whether Dallas Police is violating SB4 by failing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
If the investigation finds evidence of a violation, Paxton could pursue legal action against the city, resulting in civil penalties, fines or further legal action to enforce cooperation with ICE.
