Texas House Approves Bill Mandating Sheriff Collaboration with ICE to Strengthen Immigration Enforcement

The Texas House advanced major immigration-related legislation on Saturday, giving initial approval to a bill that would require sheriffs statewide to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by serving federal immigration warrants at local jails.

Senate Bill 8 passed on a preliminary 89-50 vote following a key amendment from Republican state Rep. David Spiller, one of the sponsors. The bill now applies to all 254 counties in Texas, rather than only those with populations over 100,000 as originally proposed. Speaking on the House floor, Spiller emphasized, "This bill is not immigration reform. This bill is the strongest border security bill — indirectly — that we could have this session."

The measure is still several steps away from becoming law. It will require one final approval in the House before returning to the Senate. If the upper chamber agrees to the changes, or if both chambers finalize negotiations, the bill will then head to Governor Greg Abbott. In response to the measure's advance, Abbott’s office reiterated his expectation that cities and counties cooperate fully with federal authorities to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. His Deputy Press Secretary, Eduardo Leal, stated, "The Governor will review this legislation, as he does with any legislation sent to his desk that helps achieve that goal."

Under SB 8, all Texas sheriffs must seek formal 287(g) agreements with ICE. These agreements empower designated local officials to perform specific immigration enforcement tasks within county jails. This can include questioning inmates about immigration status and serving administrative warrants for ICE.

• Key provisions: Sheriffs who refuse to enter into at least a “warrant service” agreement with ICE could be sued by the Texas attorney general.
• The bill also offers grants to offset costs incurred by local agencies that are not reimbursed by the federal government.
• Local officers may be authorized through the "task force model" to check the immigration status of people during routine police duties, like DUI checkpoints, raising concerns over possible racial profiling.

Supporters argue the legislation will strengthen border security amid ongoing criticism of federal immigration policies. As of Friday, ICE data shows 72 Texas law enforcement agencies had signed 287(g) agreements, with four more pending. Roughly 20 percent of these include the controversial “task force model,” which broadens local authority to question individuals outside jail settings.

However, the proposal has drawn strong opposition from immigrant advocacy groups and some Democratic lawmakers. They warn mandatory ICE participation, particularly through routine policing, could fuel racial profiling and erode trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Advocates argue fear of deportation may prevent undocumented Texans from reporting crimes or seeking help, undermining public safety.

The legislation, introduced by Republican state Sen. Charles Schwertner, aligns with broader efforts to expand local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. While it may facilitate mass deportation plans favored by some in the GOP, critics say the policy risks deepening divides and hardships for Texas' immigrant population as the debate over state and federal roles in immigration remains fiercely contested.