Since our last update, the City of Austin has caved to demands from Governor Abbot and we now have a weaker APD-ICE policy than we won (through our advocacy!) just weeks ago.
What Happened: After mounting public pressure from residents and advocacy groups, APD Chief Davis pushed through some pretty quick changes to APD general orders designed to make it clear that APD did not HAVE to call ICE if they come across an resident with an ICE admin. warrant, and to create a process for APD officers to get supervisor approval to wait for ICE. The new orders were in place for about a month when Governor Abbot threatened to withhold millions in city funding because he didn't like the new orders.
The city negotiated with the Governor, and caved on some pretty important language: The original general orders directed an APD officer who encounters an admin warrant to contact their supervisor, and “the officer or the supervisor, as appropriate, may, but is not required to, contact the ICE Law Enforcement Service Center.”
The newest policy reduces police discretion, now an officer or supervisor “should” contact ICE “when operationally feasible." It also says APD officers are not authorized to make an arrest or detain someone based solely on an ICE administrative warrant - but this is clearly confusing for officers, and not enough to protect residents. Read more here - including the Governor's threats to other Texas cities.
What's Next: Thursday, May 6 is the next ICE OUT OF ATX protest at Austin City Hall (view the flier) The action is starting at 11:30 am with a "sit-in" during the city council meeting 👀 so council knows we're still watching them! Then join us for a 12:30 pm rally outside.
If you can't make the rally - contact your council member and tell them that we need MORE protections from ICE, not less! Contact info here: tinyurl.com/atxcitydata
P.S. Half of city council is up for re-election in November, so don't forget to ask candidates about their stance on protecting our community from ICE terror, and don't forget to vote!