San Antonio City Council members seek limits on SAPD cooperation with ICE

San Antonio City Council members seek limits on SAPD cooperation with ICE by Victoria Arredondo Sat, November 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM Updated Sat, November 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM 3 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Three San Antonio City Council members are asking for a special meeting by Nov. 17 to consider limiting when police contact federal immigration authorities about a person in custody. (SBG San Antonio) Comment on this story 1 Comment Share story Share topics: San Antonio City Council SAPD ICE Immigration Ordinance Cooperation Detention SAN ANTONIO - Three San Antonio City Council members are asking for a special meeting by Nov. 17 to consider limiting when police contact federal immigration authorities about a person in custody. In a release by the Office of the City Council, Council members Teri Castillo, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Ric Galvan submitted the request Nov. 6. They asked the city manager’s and city attorney’s offices to place a proposed ordinance on the meeting agenda. Under the proposal, San Antonio police could contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about someone only if that person was already being taken to jail on new charges or other warrants and had a positive National Crime Information Center hit for an ICE administrative warrant. The proposed ordinance would also prohibit contacting ICE, extending a detention, or taking someone into custody solely because the person is, or is suspected of being, subject to immigration enforcement. Local government must not be indifferent to unfair, overly aggressive federal enforcement practices that separate families and create fear among residents who rely on public services," Councilwoman Teri Castillo said in a Facebook post. "This responsibility has become increasingly important at a time when undocumented individuals face significant barriers to obtaining legal status and citizenship, including violent enforcement tactics and murder by ICE authorities. For too long, Texas municipalities and their police departments have operated under state mandates and directives requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities, backed by threats from state leadership to withhold public funding from cities that do not comply. This request affirms that an administrative warrant alone should not justify independently contacting ICE. Updating current policies and procedures creates a better environment and lessens the fear that routine interactions with local law enforcement will lead to encounters with ICE. The results of the November 3 elections signal a changing political landscape and an opportunity for Texas communities to revisit policies that have complicated the relationship between residents and the police officers entrusted with protecting them. We look forward to bringing this matter before the City Council and the public. If approved, the city manager would work with the police chief to implement the policy after it takes effect. Council members said implementation should clarify procedures for officers and booking personnel, document permitted ICE contacts, and ensure people are not held in the field solely for ICE pickup. Council members cited possible changes to state requirements following the Nov. 3 election as the reason for their request. Trending Dozens of undelivered ballots found in dumpster at Seattle park The ballots have already been reissued to the affected voters. Eastland family loses control of Camp Mystic A federal bankruptcy judge has stripped the Eastland family of control of Camp Mystic, installing two independent overseers as the camp faces a criminal probe and wrongful-death suits tied to the July 2025 flood. Night out turns violent as gunfire erupts outside La Cantera-area business Night out turns violent as gunfire erupts outside La Cantera-area business 1 dead, 1 in grave condition after shootout with police at Alamo Ranch San Antonio police are investigating an officer-involved shooting on the far West Side near Lone Star Parkway and Alamo Ranch Parkway. One person is dead, another is hospitalized in critical condition. No officers hurt. Nearly 32 kilos of suspected cocaine seized in traffic stop; suspect taken into custody A traffic stop along Interstate 10 in Guadalupe County led to the seizure of nearly 32 kilograms of suspected cocaine and the arrest of a Laredo man, according to the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office.The sheriff’s NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 5 NEW Soggy weather and low temps coming to San Antonio area, potentially bringing flooding 3 NEW San Antonio takes on Portland following Wembanyama's 52-point game against Sacramento 13 NEW Porch Fest brings live music, community to the Beacon Hill and Alta Vista neighborhoods! 3 San Antonio City Council members seek limits on SAPD cooperation with ICE