(DALLAS, TEXAS) The Dallas Police Department has declined an offer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement worth $25 million to join the ICE 287(g) program. That decision keeps city police out of direct immigration screening for now but does not slow federal activity in the region. Police Chief Daniel Comeaux turned down the proposal, citing worries about trust with residents and the problems city officers could face if they were seen as immigration agents.
As of October 24, 2025, county officials and community groups say there is no verified, targeted immigration enforcement in Northwest Dallas, despite rumors spreading online.
Offer and rejection of ICE 287(g) partnership
ICE’s $25 million proposal would have placed trained Dallas officers inside the formal ICE 287(g) program, which lets local agencies screen people for immigration status during jail booking and flag them for federal action.
- Chief Comeaux declined, stressing that city policing depends on strong ties with immigrant neighborhoods and that joining the program could make victims and witnesses stay silent.
- Mayor Eric Johnson has urged a new look at the offer, arguing the funding could help with public safety needs.
- Several city council members pushed back, warning that any step toward immigration enforcement could damage trust built over years.
The Dallas Police Department’s choice does not stop ICE from operating in the region, and it does not change what the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office does in the jail. City police remain focused on local crime, while federal officers handle immigration matters under federal law.
Community leaders want clear communication from the city, the county, and ICE to calm fears and correct false posts on social media about “sweeps” in specific neighborhoods.
For official program details, see ICE’s overview of the ICE 287(g) program, which explains how local-federal cooperation works, the training involved, and the limits of authority given to local officers. That page also lists participating agencies across the United States — it does not currently include the Dallas Police Department.
Rising detainers and jail pressure
The county jail is experiencing real strain. From February to May 2025, Dallas County recorded a 71% rise in detainers compared to the same period in 2024, according to local jail data reviewed by county leaders.
- A detainer is a federal request to hold someone for a short period so ICE can take custody; it is not a new criminal charge.
- Increased detainer use can keep people in custody longer than they otherwise would be under local charges, adding pressure to an already crowded jail.
- The surge affects court schedules, medical care, and staffing.
Advocacy groups warn that higher detainer use risks capturing people with old or minor cases, or even U.S. citizens misidentified in databases. Law enforcement officials counter that detainers focus on people arrested for local offenses and that federal checks help identify those with serious criminal records. Both sides agree the surge aggravates capacity and staffing challenges.
Community fear is rising in neighborhoods with many mixed-status families:
- Parents worry about school drop-offs.
- Workers avoid calling 911 after car crashes.
- Shop owners hesitate to report theft.
Police leaders say protecting community trust was one reason to reject the 287(g) offer: they want victims and witnesses to feel safe reporting crimes.
Legal and statewide timeline: 2026 mandate
A new Texas law, taking effect on January 1, 2026, will require sheriffs in any county that operates a jail to partner with ICE through the 287(g) framework. That mandate could reshape how Dallas County handles bookings, interviews, and transfers to immigration custody.
Key implications:
- The sheriff’s office may face a legal duty to sign a 287(g) agreement once the state mandate begins.
- City police would not be required to join 287(g) even if the sheriff does, but the jail intake process could change for everyone arrested in Dallas County.
- County leaders must plan for:
- Training needs and data-sharing rules
- Ways to process detainers without worsening crowding
- Legal questions about holds and timing of releases
Defense attorneys, advocates, and county officials will be watching how information is collected at booking and whether people are held beyond what state law allows.
City debate and practical consequences
Mayor Johnson’s call to revisit the ICE offer adds political and practical complexity.
- Supporters say the $25 million could fund technology, officer overtime, or community programs.
- Opponents warn that the appearance of city police working immigration cases could undo years of outreach.
- Council members also point to the risk of lawsuits if detainers lead to unlawful holds — a risk tied to timing, verification of federal status, and how detainers are implemented.
Officials and advocacy groups urge residents to rely on official statements from the city, the county, and ICE rather than social media. They note some recent viral claims — about checkpoints and door-to-door raids in Northwest Dallas — were false.
City leaders say they will publish updates when federal activity could affect daily life, such as traffic closures or joint task force operations unrelated to immigration.
What residents should know and do
- The Dallas Police Department is not in the ICE 287(g) program.
- There is no verified, targeted enforcement operation in Northwest Dallas as of October 24, 2025.
- Families in mixed-status homes should know city police do not check immigration status when people report crimes, seek help as victims, or cooperate as witnesses.
- Legal groups recommend people with old cases consult an attorney before leaving the county or posting bond, since detainers can trigger fast transfers to federal custody.
- Employers and schools should monitor how jail intake changes might affect parents, workers, or students who are held longer because of detainers.
Residents are encouraged to watch official channels, attend public meetings, and be cautious about rumors.
Next steps and public process
County commissioners say they will hold public sessions to review options, including:
- Steps to reduce jail crowding
- Plain-language guidance about how detainers work
- Channels for getting accurate information
As the state mandate approaches, the months ahead will determine how Dallas balances jail operations, community trust, and state requirements — decisions that will affect thousands of families across the county.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Dallas Police Department declined a $25 million offer from ICE to join the 287(g) program, with Police Chief Daniel Comeaux citing potential damage to community trust and the risk that victims and witnesses would stop cooperating. Mayor Eric Johnson urged reconsideration, highlighting funding benefits, while council members warned of harm to outreach efforts. Dallas County jails are under strain after a 71% increase in detainers from February–May 2025, which prolongs custody and complicates court operations. A Texas law effective January 1, 2026, will require county sheriffs to partner with ICE, potentially changing booking procedures and transfers. Officials and advocates urge reliance on official communications, legal advice for those with prior cases, and public meetings as counties plan for training, data-sharing, and measures to limit overcrowding.
