In defiance of President Donald Trump and his administrations aim to remove criminal illegal migrants, the Dallas Police Department (DPD) has conducted a series of meetings that is informing immigrants that they will not be taking part in or making any arrests on behalf of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to Fox News, there have been at least five of these meeting which started Wednesday, with the remainder scheduled to run until February 20.
CBS News reported that the DPD Interim Chief Michael Igo reportedly attempted to quiet fears from the immigrant community, saying during the meetings that they will not be “detaining people that are either documented or undocumented.”
“The Dallas Police Department is not assisting any federal agency on detaining people that are either documented or undocumented in the city of Dallas,” Igo reportedly said to attendees at Familia Bethel Internacional church in Dallas.
Igo told parishioners that they need not fear going to work, or school, or reaching out to police if they need help.
“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,” said Igo, reportedly adding that there would be no raids in schools, churches, or hospitals, but immigrants with outstanding warrants could face deportation.
Igo also took to X Wednesday night to relay his message that DPD would not cooperate with federal immigration officials.
“There’s no room for fear in our community,” Igo wrote on X. “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.”
Fox News further reported Igo had posted a video late last month to X, reassuring residents they would be treated the same regardless of immigration status.
Meanwhile, newly sworn-in Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a lawsuit against the state of New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James for allegedly failing to comply with federal law and shielding illegal immigrants.
