Harris County commissioners condemn ICE operations, call on federal government to enact reforms

Harris County commissioners on Thursday reaffirmed their stance on ICE operations by calling on the federal government to enact comprehensive immigration enforcement reforms.

Commissioners voted 3-1 to pass a resolution directing local law enforcement agencies to stick to clear and consistent processes while detaining and relocating individuals regardless of their immigration status. The resolution also affirms that commissioners court members have taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.

The vote came a few weeks after commissioners condemned national ICE operations and federal agents accused of killing United States citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota. They voted in January to direct the county’s government affairs department to construct a resolution about the court’s position on immigration enforcement.

Commissioner Tom Ramsey voted against the resolution, calling it reactionary. He commended Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and cited figures that the county leads the country in immigration holds at the Harris County Jail. A state immigration detainer report shows that immigration holds in the county jail come at a cost of $3.7 million.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was not present at the commissioners’ court meeting on Thursday. Commissioner Rodney Ellis said the resolution will be sent to Texas’ congressional delegation.

“It would be very difficult for me to say that, being in Harris County, we ought to not speak up when something is happening somewhere else in the country,” Ellis said.

Harris County was one of several jurisdictions earlier this year to join a federal lawsuit condemning immigration crackdowns in Minnesota.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia said he plans to have discussions about how the impacts of recent immigration enforcement crackdowns are reflected in the local economy. He said restaurants, hotels and construction company workers are not showing up for work in fear of enforcement activities, he said.

“The worst of the worst in terms of deportation have never been a concern for me, but people who have family who have made mistakes should have the opportunity for due process and their day in court,” Garcia said.