Dallas Police’s Latest Approach To Protect Immigrants In Tense Times

3 police officers standing on street with back to camera

Dallas Police Department refuses to aid federal immigration raids, sparking debate on local law enforcement’s role in national policies.

Key Insights

Dallas Police Department will not assist ICE in deportation efforts or raids
DPD emphasizes commitment to serving all Dallas residents, regardless of immigration status
Federal agencies conducted immigration enforcement operations in Texas cities, including Dallas-Fort Worth
Tension between local and federal law enforcement priorities highlighted by DPD’s stance
DPD reports significant decrease in violent crime, including a 26% reduction in murders

Dallas Police Department Takes Stand Against Federal Immigration Raids

The Dallas Police Department (DPD) has taken a firm stance against participating in federal immigration enforcement operations, directly contradicting the Trump administration’s increased efforts to detain and deport illegal immigrants. Interim Chief Michael Igo has been conducting a series of outreach meetings to reassure immigrant communities that the DPD will not engage with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal entities in detaining or deporting individuals.

This move comes in the wake of recent federal immigration enforcement operations across Texas cities, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. These operations, described by an ICE spokesperson as “enhanced targeted operations,” resulted in 84 arrests in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone. The operations involved multiple federal agencies, including ICE, DEA, FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

ICE reporting federal agents detained 84 people of “varying degrees of criminality,” is simply code for a blanket attempt at mass detentions and raids in our community.

We deserve to know who is being detained and why!https://t.co/6zCHQWWFcC

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) January 28, 2025

DPD’s Commitment to Community Trust

Chief Igo has been explicit in his messaging to the immigrant community. During outreach meetings, he emphasized, “The Dallas Police Department is not assisting any federal agency on detaining people that are either documented or undocumented in the city of Dallas.” This statement underscores the department’s commitment to maintaining trust with all members of the Dallas community, regardless of their immigration status.

“I need you guys to continue to call the police, to not be afraid to come out of your homes to go to work, to send our kids to school,” Igo stated, addressing the immigrant community’s concerns.

The DPD’s stance is particularly noteworthy given that Dallas, along with Fort Worth, is one of the largest U.S. cities led by a Republican mayor. This highlights the complex dynamics between local law enforcement priorities and federal immigration policies.

Federal Operations and Local Response

While the DPD takes a supportive stance towards immigrant communities, federal agencies have been intensifying their efforts. An ICE spokesperson stated that these operations aim to “enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.” This highlights the tension between federal and local law enforcement priorities.

“There’s no room for fear in our community. I am meeting with stakeholders across Dallas to reassure them we’re here to serve and protect all Dallas residents and are committed to enforcing city ordinances and state laws,” Igo affirmed, reinforcing the DPD’s commitment to community policing.

The DPD’s approach appears to be yielding positive results. The department reported an 8.2% decrease in violent crime in 2024, including a 26% reduction in murders, marking the lowest murder rate since before the pandemic. This data suggests that fostering trust within all communities, including immigrant populations, may contribute to overall public safety.