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MY NAME IS ALEJANDRA SALINAS AND I AM PROUD TO BE HOUSTON'S NEWEST AT LARGE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING THE BROAD COALITION OF MORE THAN TWO DOZEN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE STANDING HERE WITH US TODAY.
FROM LEGAL ADVOCATES TO LABOR UNIONS, FAITH LEADERS TO EDUCATORS, THEY ARE UNITED IN THEIR CONCERN FOR HOUSTON FAMILIES AND I AM HONORED TO STAND ALONGSIDE THEM.
AT ITS CORE, THE AMERICAN DREAM IS ABOUT SOMETHING DEEPLY HUMAN.
THE BELIEF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE IN SAFETY, HAVE THE CHANCE TO SUCCEED AND BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
AND THAT DREAM DEPENDS ON SOMETHING JUST AS IMPORTANT A GOVERNMENT OF BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE THAT PROTECTS OUR RIGHTS AND EARNS OUR TRUST.
YES, IN HOUSTON WE BELIEVE IN THOSE SAME VALUES.
WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO FEEL SAFE GOING TO SCHOOL.
WE WANT PARENTS TO FEEL SAFE GOING TO WORK, AND WE WANT OUR NEIGHBORS TO FEEL SAFE CALLING THE POLICE WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG BECAUSE ALL OF US ARE SAFEST WHEN THERE IS TRUST BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT MADE TO SERVE IT.
TODAY WE ARE HERE BECAUSE THAT TRUST IS BEING TESTED.
LAST WEEK, THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED CHANGES TO THEIR POLICY AROUND COOPERATION WITH ICE.
I BELIEVE THAT THOSE CHANGES WERE MADE IN GOOD FAITH AND REPRESENT A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
BUT AFTER SPEAKING WITH RESIDENTS, LEGAL EXPERTS, AND THE COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT ARE STANDING WITH US TODAY, IT IS CLEAR THAT THOSE CHANGES ARE NOT ENOUGH AND WE CANNOT STOP THERE.
THAT IS WHY TODAY, TOGETHER WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN AND POLLARD, WE HAVE FILED AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL EMPOWER HPD TO FOCUS ON KEEPING FAMILY SAFE AND REBUILD TRUST THROUGH TRANSPARENCY.
OUR PROPOSED ORDINANCE DOES THIS IN THREE WAYS.
FIRST, THE ORDINANCE MAKES CLEAR THAT LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CALL ICE FOR CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS.
THESE CITATIONS ARE NOT REVIEWED BY A JUDGE.
THEY ARE NOT REVIEWED BY A THIRD PARTY AND ARE NOT IMMEDIATE PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS.
RIGHT NOW, DESPITE LAST WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENT, HPD IS STILL REQUIRING EVERY SINGLE OFFICER TO CALL ICE ON EVERY SINGLE ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT THEY ENCOUNTER.
THAT IS WRONG AND THIS POLICY WILL CHANGE THAT.
SECOND, THIS ORDINANCE ENSURES THAT ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOPS END WHEN THE LAWFUL REASON FOR THE STOP ENDS.
RIGHT NOW, AN OFFICER AND A SERGEANT ARE REQUIRED TO WAIT 30 MINUTES FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS TO ARRIVE.
THAT MEANS FEWER OFFICERS ON PATROL, FEWER OFFICERS RESPONDING TO CALLS AND FEWER OFFICERS FOCUSED ON KEEPING US SAFE FROM VIOLENT CRIME.
THIRD, THIS PROPOSAL INCREASES TRANSPARENCY BY REQUIRING REGULAR PUBLIC REPORTING ON HOW OFTEN HPD ASKS ABOUT IMMIGRATION STATUS OR CONTACTS.
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS HOUSTONIANS DESERVE TO KNOW HOW THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT AND REBUILDING TRUST STARTS WITH OPEN, HONEST COMMUNICATION.
EACH OF THESE PROPOSALS ARE LAWFUL, PRACTICAL, REASONABLE STEPS THAT ALIGN HOUSTON WITH THE APPROACH ALREADY TAKEN BY OTHER MAJOR JURISDICTIONS IN TEXAS, IN AUSTIN, DALLAS, BEXAR COUNTY, AND TEXAS CITIES.
CITIES AROUND THE STATE POLICE AREN'T HELD TO STANDARDS BEYOND STATE
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LAW THAT CANNOT BE SAID ABOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON TODAY.THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE AND THIS ORDINANCE DOES EXACTLY THAT AND FOLLOWS THE LEAD OF OUR SISTER CITIES.
AND LET ME BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT DO.
THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT PREVENT COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.
THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT VIOLATE STATE LAW AND THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT PREVENT OFFICERS FROM DOING THEIR JOB.
IT EMPOWERS THEM TO FOCUS ON KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
WE ARE ALL SAFER WHEN WE LIVE UP TO THE VALUES THAT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON.
HISTORY IS SHAPED IN MOMENTS LIKE THIS.
WHEN LEADERS CHOOSE COURAGE AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, OUR PEERS ACROSS TEXAS HAVE TAKEN THAT STEP.
NOW IT IS TIME FOR HOUSTON TO MEET THAT MOMENT.
I WILL NOW SHARE SOME REMARKS IN SPANISH RE, ALEJANDRA SALINAS AND HOUSTON OR MINISTER COUNTY.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER ABBY CAYMAN TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THIS PROPOSAL.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANNA RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS FOR HER LEADERSHIP.
UH, YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.
UH, LEAVE IT TO A GROUP OF LAWYERS TO BE THIS THOROUGH IN TERMS OF VETTING WHAT WE ARE LAYING OUT
I ALSO WANNA RECOGNIZE THE COUNTLESS HOUSTONIANS WHO HAVE BEEN SOUNDING THE ALARM, RAISING THEIR CONCERNS, STAYING TRUE TO WHO HOUSTON IS, AND USING THEIR VOICES TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.
AND I WANNA RECOGNIZE, IF YOU LOOK BEHIND ME, HOW MANY ORGANIZATIONS FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS ARE STANDING HERE TODAY.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO SIT IDLY BY AMIDST CRUEL, INHUMANE, AND ILLEGAL ACTIONS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AIMED AT OUR VIBRANT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.
I WANNA START FIRST AND FOREMOST BY THANKING HPD, WHO ARE OUR PARTNERS
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AND SERVE BRAVELY EVERY SINGLE DAY.YES, OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT THE ENEMY.
THEY ARE HERE TO KEEP US SAFE.
AND THEY DO SO WITH EXTREMELY LIMITED RESOURCES.
RESOURCES THAT ARE BEING STRETCHED TOO THIN BECAUSE OF WHAT ICE HAS DONE IN ABUSING THE SYSTEMS THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RELY ON.
THIS IS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN TEXAS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.
WHETHER IT'S A MOTHER AND HER BABY AT DILI OR A MOTHER AND HER BABY HERE IN HOUSTON WHO MAY BE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND CANNOT GET ACCESS TO THE HEALTH THEY NEED.
CHILDREN ARE BEING DETAINED IN ICE FACILITIES HERE IN OUR STATE.
BEYOND THE LEGAL LIMITS THAT ARE LAID OUT UNDER LONGSTANDING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS, CHILDREN ARE NOT CRIMINALS.
AFGHAN WAR VETERANS WHO SUPPORT US SPECIAL FORCES AND WERE EVACUATED TO THIS COUNTRY UNDER THE PROMISE OF PROTECTION ARE NOT CRIMINALS YET.
JUST THIS PA PAST WEEK, MR. AL, A FATHER OF SIX DIED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BEING HELD AT DILI.
THIS IS ABOUT OUR CITY BEING PUT IN AN IMPOSSIBLE POSITION.
COUNTLESS HOUSTONIANS CITIZENS AND NON-CITIZENS ALIKE IN THE MOST DIVERSE CITY IN OUR NATION ARE BEING TARGETED, FACING EGREGIOUS CIVIL RIGHTS AND DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS.
THIS IS ABOUT RESPECT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, RESPECT FOR OUR LAWS AND RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW.
YES, WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING TRUMP'S DIRTY WORK.
IF AN INDIVIDUAL POSES A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK, I TRUST LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ACT REGARDLESS OF SOMEONE'S IMMIGRATION STATUS.
WHEN AN OFFICER MAKES A LEGAL STOP WARRANT SEARCHES ARE REQUIRED.
THIS IS STANDARD AND FALLS IN LINE WITH PUBLIC SAFETY OBJECTIVES.
BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS A ROGUE FEDERAL AGENCY HAS BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS.
ICE IS USING AND ABUSING THE ROLE OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ATTEMPT TO CO-OP LOCAL OFFICERS AS FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DUMPING WHAT ARE CALLED, AND I QUOTE, ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS WHICH HAVE NO NEXUS TO PUBLIC SAFETY INTO THE SYSTEMS THAT OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS TRADITIONALLY USE TO IDENTIFY DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE OUTSTANDING CRIMINAL OR JUDICIAL WARRANTS.
AND THIS IS WHAT IS PUT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN A POSITION MANY DO NOT, NOR SHOULD THEY BE IN IT.
NOT ONLY SOWS FEAR AND MISTRUST AND FORCES VICTIMS INTO THE SHADOWS, IT STRAINS POLICE RESOURCES, IT STRAINS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES.
SO I WANNA BE CLEAR THAT THE TERM ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT, BECAUSE PEOPLE HEAR THAT A LOT, THIS IS A MISNOMER.
THESE ARE ADMINISTRATIVE REQUESTS.
UNLIKE A JUDICIAL WARRANT, WHICH REQUIRES APPLICATION TO AN OBJECTIVE INDEPENDENT JUDGE AND A SHOW OF PROBABLE CAUSE THAT A SPECIFIC CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED.
UNLIKE THAT, AN ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT IS ISSUE IS BEING ISSUED BY THE SAME AGENCY THAT WANTS TO USE THE WARRANT AND DOES NOT REQUIRE A SHOWING OF PROBABLE CAUSE, BUT A MUCH LOWER STANDARD.
SO SAYING THAT ANOTHER WAY IN NON-LAWYER TERMS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE NOT JUDICIAL WARRANTS, THEY'RE NOT CRIMINAL WARRANTS THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT CARRY THE WEIGHT OF A LEGAL STANDARD WITH CRIMINAL IMPLICATIONS.
THESE ARE CIVIL BASED REQUESTS WITH A MUCH LOWER STANDARD, WITH NO JUDICIAL OR OTHER CHECK ON WHAT'S ACTUALLY BEING ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM.
OTHER TYPES OF ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS ARE USED FOR THINGS LIKE HEALTH INSPECTIONS AND BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THEY DO NOT PROVIDE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO LOCAL POLICE FOR ARREST OR DETENTION.
ICE AGENT TRAINING ADDITIONALLY PALES IN COMPARISON TO THE THOROUGH AND IN-DEPTH TRAINING AND PROFESSIONALISM WE SEE IN OUR HPD OFFICERS.
ICE'S LACKLUSTER STANDARDS AND LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IS CREATING CHAOS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
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THESE ADMINISTRATIVE REQUESTS ARE LITERALLY CREATED BY ICE AGENTS THEMSELVES, NOT A JUDGE.IN FACT, A FEDERAL JUDGE HERE IN TEXAS, JUDGE BARRY IN JANUARY, ISSUED AN ORDER WHEN FIVE-YEAR-OLD LIAM RAMOS, WE SAW ALL THE HEADLINES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ABOUT LITTLE LIAM WAS SENT FROM MINNESOTA TO DILI.
IN THE ORDER, JUDGE BARRY CALLED THESE ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS OUT FOR WHAT THEY TRULY ARE.
HE SAID, AND I QUOTE, ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS ISSUED BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO ITSELF DO NOT PASS PROBABLE CAUSE MUSTER.
THAT IS CALLED THE FOX GUARDING THE HEN HOUSE.
THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL OFFICER.
AND WHAT'S MORE, AS YOU HEARD, COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS ADDRESS THIS EARLIER AS IT PERTAINS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WHEN AN OFFICER PULLS SOMEONE OVER UNDER A LEGAL STOP, ONCE THEY CONCLUDE THAT STOP, THEY CANNOT FURTHER DETAIN SOMEONE KEEPING A HOUSTONIAN FOR UP TO 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LEGAL PURPOSE OF THE STOP HAS CONCLUDED TO WAIT FOR ICE TO ARRIVE, RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS AND COULD BE A CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATION.
THERE IS NO STOPWATCH OR TIMER WHEN IT COMES TO WHEN THE CONSTITUTION GOES INTO EFFECT.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT OPTIONAL.
THIS ORDINANCE GIVES HPD THE FLEXIBILITY TO DETERMINE WHAT THEY KNOW BEST.
IT DOES NOT PROHIBIT HPD FROM CONTACTING ICE.
IT RECOGNIZES THAT THESE ADMINISTRATIVE REQUESTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH NO NEXUS TO CRIMINAL ACTS ARE NOT THE SAME AS A STANDARD JUDICIAL WARRANT.
SO AGAIN, I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS AND COUNCIL MEMBER POLLARD.
THIS PROPOSITION CARRIES THE SIGNATURES OF MEMBERS WHO ARE ALL ATTORNEYS
I ALSO WANNA EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS AND LEGAL EXPERTS WHO ARE NOT ONLY STANDING HERE WITH US TODAY, BUT HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US ON THIS.
THE RESIDENTS OF OUR INCREDIBLY DIVERSE AND BEAUTIFUL FABRIC THAT MAKES UP HOUSTON.
HOUSTON WHO ARE SPEAKING OUT FOR OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AT A TIME WHEN MANY OF THEM CANNOT INVE.
I WANNA ALSO RECOGNIZE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS WHO ARE CONTINUING TO BRING CRITICAL INFORMATION TO LIGHT AS WELL AS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO OUR CITY.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO WHAT IS HAPPENING.
I'M JACKIE ANDERSON, PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON FEDERATION OF TEACHERS REPRESENTING THOUSANDS OF EDUCATORS WHO SHOW UP FOR HOUSTON'S CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND I WANNA TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE WILLING TO STAND UP WITH US FOR OUR CHILDREN AS WE STAND UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
RIGHT NOW, FEAR IS WALKING INTO OUR CLASSROOMS WITH OUR STUDENTS.
MORE THAN 4,000 OF OUR CHILDREN ARE MISSING SCHOOL.
PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THEM.
FAMILIES ARE WORRIED THAT A SIMPLE SCHOOL DAY COULD TURN INTO A MOMENT OF SEPARATION.
AS ANY TEACHER WILL TELL YOU, WHEN A CHILD IS AFRAID THEY CANNOT LEARN.
WE CAN'T TEACH CHILDREN WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER THEIR FAMILY WILL BE THERE WHEN THEY RETURN HOME.
YOU CAN'T ASK STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON READING, MATH AND SCIENCE WHEN THEY ARE CARRYING FEAR.
INSTEAD OF BACKPACKS FULL OF CONFIDENCE, WE ARE SEEING IT EVERY DAY.
ATTENDANCE DROPPING, ENGAGEMENT, SLIPPING CLASSROOMS GOING QUIETER.
NOT BECAUSE STUDENTS DON'T CARE BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED.
WHEN FAMILIES ARE AFRAID TO INTERACT WITH SCHOOLS OR EVEN CALL FOR HELP, IT DOESN'T JUST AFFECT EDUCATION.
IT AFFECTS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
AS EDUCATORS, OUR JOB IS TO CREATE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE SPACES WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN LEARN AND THRIVE.
WE NEED OUR CITY TO STAND WITH OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
OUR STUDENTS DESERVE TO WALK INTO A SCHOOL THINKING ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, NOT FEARING WHAT WILL HAPPEN OR WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO THEIR FAMILY.
OUR TEACHERS DESERVE TO FOCUS ON TEACHING, NOT MANAGING TRAUMA CAUSED BY FEAR OUTSIDE
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OF THE CLASSROOM.AND OUR FAMILIES DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE SHOWING UP FOR THEIR CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT TAKES TRUST.
SO TODAY I URGE THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE.
THIS IS ABOUT RESTORING TRUST, PROTECTING OUR CLASSROOMS, AND STRENGTHENING OUR CITY.
BECAUSE STRONG SCHOOLS ARE BUILT ON STRONG, TRUSTING COMMUNITIES, AND WHEN OUR COMMUNITIES ARE STRONG, HOUSTON IS STRONGER.
MY NAME IS DAVID DONATI AND I'M A SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY AT THE A CLU OF TEXAS.
I WANNA BEGIN BY SAYING THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBERS SALINAS CAYMAN AND POLLARD, AND TO THE ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE MADE THIS MOMENT POSSIBLE.
ARD, I WANNA BE VERY DIRECT ABOUT WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES AND WHAT IT DOES NOT.
UNDER TEXAS LAW SENATE BILL FOUR FROM 2017, LOCAL POLICE MUST HONOR ICE DETAINERS AND THEY MAY COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENTS AS IS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY.
BUT STATE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS TO CONTACT ICE.
EVERY TIME A BACKGROUND CHECK RETURNS, A CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT HIT THAT IS HPDS OWN POLICY CHOICE AND IT CREATES A SERIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM.
BEGINNING IN 2025, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ADDED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS TO THE NATIONAL, UH, WARRANT SYSTEM THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN WAS DESCRIBING.
A CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT IS NOT THE SAME AS A CRIMINAL WARRANT.
IT WAS NOT REVIEWED BY A JUDGE OR A NEUTRAL MAGISTRATE.
THESE CIVIL WARRANTS DO NOT INDICATE THAT A CRIME HAS OCCURRED AND THEY DO NOT AUTHORIZE A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER TO DETAIN SOMEONE.
IF OFFICERS DETAIN A PERSON FOR UP TO 30 MINUTES OR LONGER, SOLELY BASED ON SUCH AN ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT, THAT DETENTION ALMOST CERTAINLY VIOLATES THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
WE HAVE CAREFULLY REVIEWED THE CURRENT TEXT OF PROPOSITION A.
IN OUR OPINION, IT FULLY COMPLIES WITH STATE LAW.
IT DOES NOT PROHIBIT OFFICERS FROM COOPERATING WITH ICE TO THE CONTRARY.
IT SIMPLY CLARIFIES THAT THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO BEYOND WHAT THE LAW DEMANDS.
THAT IS A MEANINGFUL DISTINCTION AND THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES IT.
WE BELIEVE THAT SB FOUR IS A FLAWED LAW THAT UNDERMINES LOCAL CONTROL AND COMMUNITY TRUST.
BUT EVEN ON ITS OWN TERMS, THIS ORDINANCE SATISFIES IT.
IT CAN FOLLOW THE LAW AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF HOUSTONIANS.
MY NAME IS SUSANNA LUAN AND I'M THE HOUSTON ORGANIZING MANAGER AT WORKERS' DEFENSE ACTION FUND.
WE ARE A MEMBERSHIP BASED ORGANIZATION THAT FIGHTS FOR WORKING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES IN TEXAS.
OUR HOUSTON OFFICE IS BASED IN SHARPSTOWN, DISTRICT J, UM, AND I ALSO LIVE THERE.
I LIVE FIVE MINUTES FROM THE OFFICE.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF Y'ALL HAVE SUCH A GOOD COMMUTE.
UM, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF MEMBERS WHO LIVE OR WORK NOT VERY FAR FROM THE OFFICE.
LIKE ADA, FOR EXAMPLE, ADA WHOSE TEENAGE DAUGHTER IS SCARED WHEN THEY GO GROCERY SHOPPING.
SHE SAYS, MOM, ONLY WILL WE COME HERE TO GET NOT A SECOND LONGER.
ADA IS SCARED TO DRIVE TO WORK, BUT SHE'S A SINGLE MOTHER WHO ELSE WILL WORK FOR HER AND HER FAMILY? SHE GOES TO WORK FEARFUL OF POSSIBLE POLICE STOPS THAT COULD SEPARATE HER FROM HER CHILDREN.
AND AS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE CITIES IN THE COUNTRY, HOUSTON IS, WE ARE A CITY OF IMMIGRANTS.
AND YET HOUSTON METRO AREA LEADS THE COUNTRY IN IMMIGRATION.
HPD CALLS TO ICE HAVE INCREASED BY OVER A THOUSAND PERCENT IN 2025 ALONE.
WHAT WILL THOSE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE IN 2026? MORE AND MORE OF OUR MEMBERS ARE JOINING OUR MEETINGS VIRTUALLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO RISK DRIVING OR GETTING TO THE OFFICE AND BACK HOME.
WE ARE SEEING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITHDRAW FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES.
FAMILIES ARE AFRAID OF REPORTING CRIME AND INSTEAD OF HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES, OF KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, HPD ARE PLAYING ICE AGENTS, TEARING FAMILIES APART.
LET'S NOT DO THEIR JOB FOR THEM.
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I ASKED SARAH IF SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK TODAY AND I HAD TOLD HER ABOUT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH AN ORDINANCE, UH, THAT WE'VE BEEN, UH, WORKING ON.AND SHE HAD ONE QUESTION FOR ME, REALLY.
UM, SHE ASKED, IS SHE COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS ON OUR SIDE? AND SO WE'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS, UH, FOR WORKING WITH WORKERS DEFENSE ACTION FUND AND HOUSTON LEADS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS CAYMAN AND POLLARD, FOR BEING ABLE TO TAKE THIS FIRST CRITICAL STEP IN PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES.
BECAUSE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT OF FEAR, PARENTS ARE HAVING TO BE BRAVE.
AND SO WE'RE ASKING HOUSTON COUNTY, HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SHARE A BIT IN THAT BRAVERY AND CHAMPION OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO DEFEND AND PROTECT IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND TO PROTECT WORKING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.
'CAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE IN DIGNITY, NOT FEARS.
WELL, GOOD MORNING TO ALL OF MY FELLOW HOUSTONIANS.
MY NAME IS CARLOS AND I AM ONE OF THE PASTORS AT A LOCAL CHURCH IN AN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY CALLED ECCLESIA LINDE, UH, IN NORTH LYNDALE.
UH, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY TO OFFER OUR SUPPORT.
UH, AS I'VE TALKED TO COUNTLESS PASTORS PRIESTS, UM, I'M ALSO A PART OF A NETWORK AND ORGANIC NETWORK OF DIASPORA CHURCHES, UH, RAGING ANYWHERE FROM NIGERIAN CHURCHES TO AFGHAN BELIEVERS TO LATINO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE BEING DEVASTATED BY THE UNJUST, UH, AND CORRUPT WAYS OF ICE.
SO I STAND HERE AS A PERSON OF FAITH.
I STAND HERE AS A PASTOR, UH, OFFERING MY SUPPORT FOR THIS, UH, BECAUSE, UH, IN OUR EVERYDAY WORK AS PASTORS, WE ARE SEEING THE SAME THING THAT MY FRIEND JUST SAID.
RIGHT NOW, UH, FAMILY MEMBERS, UH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, CHURCH MEMBERS WITHDRAW FROM COMMUNITY, WITHDRAW FROM RESOURCES THAT ARE VERY ESSENTIAL TO THEM.
THINGS LIKE FOOD PANTRIES AND CLOTHING CLOSETS.
NOW, UH, THEY, THEY ARE SCARED TO TO TO GO AND RECEIVE RESOURCES FOR, UH, THEIR FAMILY MEDICAL RESOURCES AS WELL.
UH, THEY'RE SCARED TO LIVE LIFE, UH, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE TARGET THAT'S ON THEIR BACK.
SO AS A PASTOR, UM, I WANNA SHARE, UH, THAT THE WORD FOR US AS OUR COMMUNITY OF FAITH CALLS US TO LOVE THE FOREIGNER, TO WELCOME THEM, TO TREAT THEM, AND TO LOVE THEM AS OUR OURSELF.
LEVITICUS 19 TELLS US VERY CLEARLY, DO NOT OPPRESS THE FOREIGNER, THE SOJOURNER, THE IMMIGRANT, BUT RATHER LOVE THEM AS YOURSELF.
SO I STAND HERE REPRESENTING NOT JUST MYSELF, NOT EVEN JUST OUR LOCAL CHURCH, BUT A MULTITUDE OF PASTORS, OF PRIESTS, OF BELIEVERS ACROSS, UH, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ASKING, UH, FOR JUSTICE.
AND SO, UH, ON BEHALF OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY THAT I'M CONNECTED WITH, WE WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER SALINAS AND EVERY OTHER PERSON THAT WAS INVOLVED IN HELPING BRING THIS TOGETHER.
I'M, UH, ROBERT RIVERA REPRESENTING ANOTHER FAITH COMMUNITY, THE TEXAS IMPACT ORGANIZATION, WHICH IS A NETWORK OF FAITH LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONS THROUGHOUT TEXAS WITH A NUMBER HERE IN HOUSTON.
JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, WE'RE INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN SERVING AND SUPPORTING OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES.
WE CONSTANTLY HEAR STORIES OF FEAR, ANXIETY, AND THE CHOICES THAT FAMILIES HAVE TO MAKE EVERY DAY ABOUT WHETHER GOING OUTSIDE TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN WHATEVER METHOD TO GO INTO SCHOOL TO BUY GROCERIES IS A CHALLENGE.
AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN THE ANXIETY LEVEL THAT EXISTS.
THIS ORDINANCE MAKES GOOD SENSE.
IT DOESN'T RESOLVE THE ANXIETY INTENTION THAT FAMILIES FEEL, BUT IT'S MAKES COMMON SENSE TO PROVIDE A WAY FOR FAMILIES.
IF THEY STEP OUT AND THEY HAVE A MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION, THERE'S NOT GONNA BE FEAR THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE DEPORTED.
AND THESE ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS ARE USED AS A TOOL TO, TO DEPORT FAMILIES, WHICH IS NOT JUST AND WHICH IS NOT RIGHT.
OUR HOPE IS WITH THE PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND TALK TO THEM.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MOVE AROUND.
THIS IS NOT GONNA BE SOMETHING THAT'S THE, THE, THE BEING STOPPED BY THE POLICE IS NOT GONNA BE SOMETHING NEGATIVE.
WE ALSO HAVE TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGE OF WHEN DO YOU CALL THE POLICE? BECAUSE THE CHALLENGE ALSO BECOMES, IF THERE'S CRIME BEING COMMITTED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, WHY SHOULD WE CALL THE POLICE IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY
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THAT THE POLICE ARE GONNA DEPORT US, GET US DEPORTED? AND SO THERE'S NOT THAT TRUST.THIS HELPS BUILD THAT TRUST AGAIN.
SO WE'RE ANXIOUS AND EAGER TO SEE THIS ORDINANCE PASS AND WE URGE EVERYONE TO SUPPORT IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THE COMMUNITY SPEAKERS.
AND THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE.
LIKE I SAID, AT THE TOP OF MY REMARKS, WE HAVE OVER TWO DOZEN ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS THAT ARE STANDING WITH US TODAY.
I WANNA RECOGNIZE TRACY GIBSON, THE CHAIR ELECT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
AND REPRESENTATIVE, REPRESENTATIVE, STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTINA MORALE WHO HAS BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.
AND NOW, AND NOW I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY FROM THE PRESS.
MAYOR MEYER HAS RAISED KIND OF CONCERNS ABOUT ESCAPE OR FEDERAL TRACK DOWN.
IF ANY STEPS LIKE THIS ARE TAKEN TO, YOU KNOW, TRY TO REDUCE FIRE COORDINATION BECAUSE HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT CONCERN? I WOULD RESPOND WITH THE FACTS.
AUSTIN, SAN ANTONIO AND DALLAS HAVE TAKEN THESE VERY STEPS AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.
THERE ARE NO LAWSUITS, THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THEIR FUNDING BECAUSE THEY ARE LAWFUL ACTIONS.
ALL WE CAN DO AS COUNCIL MEMBERS AND POLICY MAKERS IS OPERATE IN THE FACTS.
AND THE FACTS SAY THAT WE CAN TAKE THIS STEP AND NOT BE AT RISK OF VIOLATING THE LAW.
WHY NOT GO A STEP FURTHER INSTEAD OF JUST BEING DISCRETIONARY FOR THE OFFICER, ACTUALLY PROHIBIT OFFICERS FROM MAKING THESE CALLS THAT WOULD VIOLATE US BEFORE WE ARE TAKING ALL THE STEPS THAT WE HOPE THAT OUR COLLEAGUES WILL SIGN ON.
IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND ADVOCATES TO HELP US COUNT TO NINE, TO GET THE VOTES TO PASS THIS.
IF WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL STEPS.
BUT RIGHT NOW, LET'S TAKE THIS STEP TO GET HOUSTON IN LINE WITH THE MAJOR JURISDICTIONS IN OUR TEXAS SISTER CITIES.
CAN I ADD ABOUT SB FOUR? OKAY.
UM, HAVE YOU SPOKEN, I THINK SOMEBODY ELSE HERE, COMMUNITY, SO COMMUNITY THAT ARE IN OUR DIVERSE CITY.
HAVE YOU TAKEN STEPS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS KNOW THIS, INCLUDING EVERYBODY IN THE FUTURE? SO, WELL, SIR, I, WE CERTAINLY ARE DOING SO, BUT WE'RE GONNA NEED YOUR HELP.
YEAH, AND THAT'S A GREAT REMINDER ON MARCH 31ST, CITY COUNCIL IS HAVING AN EVENING PUBLIC SESSION.
THAT MEANS ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING YOURSELF AND ANYONE ELSE THAT SUPPORTS THIS ORDINANCE, COME TO COUNCIL.
LOOK MY OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE EYE AND THE MAYOR AND TELL THEM WHY YOU WANT US TO TAKE THIS STEP.
THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU TO HELP GIVE THEM THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
BUT I WILL ABSOLUTELY CHAMPION THAT AND I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME IN LETTING OUR COLLEAGUES KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD DO THE SAME.
YOU ALREADY ANSWERED THIS, BUT WHAT SCOPE COUNCIL? SO WE HAVE SUBMITTED THIS ORDINANCE TO THE, TO THE, TO THE CITY SECRETARY TODAY.
UM, THE CITY HAS SEVEN DAYS TO UNDERTAKE A LAWFULNESS REVIEW AND AFTER THEY COMPLETE THE LAWFULNESS REVIEW, THIS WILL GO ON THE AGENDA FOR A VOTE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
I JUST WANNA THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AGAIN FOR STANDING HERE WITH US TODAY.
THIS IS NOT THE LAST STEP, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP WE CAN TAKE TOGETHER.
AND I URGE YOU IF YOU ARE WATCHING THIS, IF YOU ARE HEARING THIS AND YOU SUPPORT WHAT WE ARE DOING, CALL CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT THIS MEASURE.
COME TO CITY COUNCIL AND TESTIFY ON WHY YOU SUPPORT THE MEASURE.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON HOW TO DO THAT, CALL MY OFFICE.
I AM HOPEFUL AND CONFIDENT THAT THE CITY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND FOLLOW THE LEAD OF OUR SISTER CITIES.