Thank you to everyone who signed this petition and is lifting their voice to speak out against ICE brutality. As an Austin resident, City Council representative, and person of conscience, I share your determination to get ICE out of Austin. To make this a reality, we need people at every level of government to use their power for good, and we need movements of committed people like you.

Right now, I am committed to ensuring the City does everything we can to protect Austin residents from ICE violence. Although it is true that a 2017 Texas Senate Bill (then called “SB4”) prevents Texas cities from having a policy, either official or unofficial, to prevent cooperation with immigration enforcement, that does not mean that we have no options or ability to protect each other.

Despite limiting State laws, Austin is NOT required to use our limited resources to comply with illegal, unreasonable, and unnecessary ICE requests. I am currently working with City staff, advocacy organizations, and immigration experts to make changes to the APD general orders to reflect this, and to train officers to recognize the difference between a discretionary, non-judicial, civil “administrative warrant” versus mandatory warrants that have been signed by a judge.

If you were at City Hall on Tuesday when my fellow Councilmembers and I received a copy of this petition—already signed by thousands of concerned Austin residents—you hopefully saw and felt why coming together in solidarity matters. Seeing how many people care and feel the same way as one another, and hearing from community leaders, advocates, and impacted neighbors, plays a major role in our ability to combat fear and sustain our energy for the fight.

Organizing ourselves around central demands is crucial to moving toward the world we want to see, and pressuring your elected representatives is a crucial piece of that. Thank you for doing your part to fight for equality and justice for all people, and I will continue to do my part fighting from City Hall.