Policies guiding how deputies interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vary across Harris County, where each constable’s office operates independently under its own elected leadership.
How Harris County constable precincts instruct deputies to interact with ICE in the field Read full article: How Harris County constable precincts instruct deputies to interact with ICE in the field BARC Animal Investigators and Houston Police Major Offenders Animal Cruelty Unit investigating numerous animal carcasses dumped within a TxDOT facility off the Eastex Freeway in Humble on April 22, 2026.
Generic cuffs and gavel - lightbox KPRCTIMELINE: Tracking rain and thunderstorms for your ride home from work. – Policies guiding how deputies interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vary across Harris County, where each constable’s office operates independently under its own elected leadership. KPRC 2 requested written policies and internal guidance from constable precincts across the county.
While not all agencies publish detailed procedures online, several offices provided direct responses outlining how deputies are instructed to handle situations involving immigration concerns or potential ICE involvement. Across the precincts that responded, a consistent theme emerged: deputies are generally not allowed to independently contact ICE, and decisions are routed through supervisors and, in some cases, legal counsel.
In a statement provided to KPRC 2, Precinct 2 officials said deputies follow both departmental policies and applicable county guidance when directed by the Harris County Attorney’s Office. Deputies must contact a supervisor at the rank of lieutenant or higherLegal questions are referred to the County Attorney or District Attorney This same process applies to any request to assist ICE. Officials noted they have not yet encountered a situation requiring action under this guidance.
According to information provided by Precinct 8, the office has a written directive outlining how deputies must handle potential immigration-related situations. Deputies are prohibited from directly contacting ICE during calls for service, traffic stops, or field encountersOnly a supervisor can determine whether contacting ICE is appropriateThe directive was issued in August 2025 at the request of Constable Phil Sandlin, according to the precinct.
Officials say the process mirrors how deputies confirm arrest warrants with outside agencies and is designed to ensure proper verification and accountability. Deputies do not independently initiate ICE contactLegal guidance may be sought before action is takenBecause each constable is independently elected, there is no single countywide policy governing how deputies interact with ICE in the field.
But across the precincts that have responded so far, the approach is similar: deputies are expected to defer decisions, follow a chain of command, and ensure any interaction with federal immigration authorities is handled within established legal and procedural boundaries. Joy Addison joined the KPRC 2 News team in November of 2024. She is a native Mississippian and moved to Houston in 2019.
Grand jury returns no bill for 6 officers in death of Harris county jail inmate after altercationAnother flood threat Wednesday as rain continuesWill Anderson Jr. addresses the media after record-breaking extensionInformation on the storms heading to Houston TuesdayWet weather pattern: Threat for street flooding this week in HoustonData says about 70% of Houston drivers use their phones while driving! Defense challenges inappropriate relationship charges for former Goose Creek CISD counselorInside Texans' Will Anderson Jr. NFL record 150 million deal
ICE Immigration Immigration Policy Texas Immigration Procedures Houston Immigration Procedures Texas Immigration Law Enforcement Guidelines
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Republican candidates for Harris County Judge talk flooding, jail concernsOrlando Sanchez faces Warren Howell in a May 26 runoff election after the two Republican candidates finished first and second, respectively, in a crowded primary.
Read more »
30-year-old inmate dies after suffering medical emergency at Harris County JailA 30-year-old inmate at the Harris County Jail died after suffering a medical emergency over the weekend.
Read more »
Grand jury declines to charge 6 Harris County jailers in connection with man's 2025 deathA grand jury declined to indict six Harris County detention officers Tuesday in a man's 2025 death, the District Attorney's Office confirms.
Read more »
No Bill for Officers in Harris County Jail Inmate DeathA grand jury has decided not to indict six detention officers involved in an altercation with an inmate, Alexis Jovany Cardenas, who later died. The incident occurred at the Harris County Jail in July 2025. An internal investigation is ongoing to determine if any policy violations occurred.
Read more »
Three years after shooting, Harris County prosecutors drop murder case against homeless felonAfter nearly three years in jail—and just before his trial was set to begin—the Harris County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the murder case against 50-year-old James London on April 10, citing one reason: it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Read more »
2016 Tax Day flood study highlights expansive flood threat for Houston, Harris CountyThis month marks 10 years since the Tax Day flood decimated portions of southeast Texas. A team of researchers at Rice University is learning more about what the impact would be if the flood were to hit today.
Read more »