Houston mayor John Whitmire reverses course on ICE cooperation after blue wave crashes in Texas

The Democratic mayor of America’s fourth-largest city is reversing course on cooperation with federal immigration authorities despite an executive order from defeated Texas Republican Gov.Greg Abbott that threatened the loss of millions in state funding for noncompliance.The Lone Star State swung blue for the first time since its new senator-elect, James Talarico, was born, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire wasted no time Friday announcing new restrictions on cooperation with ICE.Whitmire told the New York Times that city police are not permitted to notify ICE if they encounter an illegal immigrant in “nonviolent contacts” like traffic stops or minor offenses.“If they’re charged with a new crime, we’ll let ICE know as we get them to the jailhouse,” he told the paper Friday.Abbott lost his bid for a fourth term Tuesday, and Talarico flipped one of the state’s Senate seats blue for the first time since Clinton Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen won his final re-election bid in 1988 — seven months before the current senator-elect was born.Texas’ most recent Democratic governor, Ann Richards, the mother of former longtime Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, was elected shortly thereafter in 1990.Whitmire did not respond to a request for comment but signaled to the Times that he made the decision at least in part because Abbott’s order requiring DHS contact caused “anxiety” among Houstonians.In a statement put out Friday afternoon, Whitmire said, “I have signed an executive order directing HPD to no longer contact ICE for nonviolent offenses, helping reduce fear in our communities.

Thank you to Chief Diaz, our state and local leaders for their collaboration.A step toward building a stronger Houston.

Let’s Go to Work.”He also acknowledged Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa won’t take office until January but characterized his decision as “responsible” and “more effective policy.”A DHS spokesperson responded to Whitmire’s move in c...