Dallas Police Department under scrutiny as local congresswoman presses for clarity on collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
In a move to ensure transparency and maintain community trust, North Texas Congresswoman Julie Johnson has demanded clarification from the Dallas Police Department (DPD) regarding its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Johnson, a Democrat representing Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties, has sent a letter to Chief of Police Daniel Comeaux, seeking a detailed explanation of the DPD's current policy regarding the 287(g) Program and its collaboration with ICE.
The 287(g) Program permits federal immigration authorities to delegate certain immigration enforcement powers to local law enforcement agencies. However, the DPD, which does not operate a jail, is less directly applicable to this model due to its lack of jail facilities.
In previous remarks, Chief Comeaux had suggested full cooperation with ICE, but following community concern, he has since clarified or walked back those statements. The Dallas City Council and public have pushed for a definitive statement to ensure the police department’s role focuses on public safety rather than immigration enforcement.
As of August 2025, the DPD has no plans to enter into a formal agreement or partnership with ICE under the 287(g) Program or other Department of Homeland Security agencies. This was confirmed by the DPD itself and restated amidst community inquiries and political oversight.
The DPD's cooperation with ICE's enforcement actions is limited or nonexistent beyond what is legally required. However, questions remain about the specific criteria the DPD uses to determine when and how it engages with ICE or assists in immigration enforcement.
Congresswoman Johnson has set a deadline of Aug. 21 for a written response from Chief of Police Daniel Comeaux, answering six questions related to the police department's immigration policy. It remains unclear if the response will be made public.
In summary, the DPD currently has no plans to enter into a formal agreement with ICE under the 287(g) Program or other DHS agencies. The department's cooperation with ICE is limited, and it does not operate a jail, making the 287(g) model less applicable. The community and local officials continue to call for transparency and clear policy statements regarding the DPD's collaboration with ICE.
