Congresswoman Julie Johnson to Tour Bluebonnet Detention Facility
DALLAS, TX — Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) will visit the Bluebonnet Detention Facility this Friday to examine conditions and federal enforcement activities inside. The visit is the latest step in her ongoing push for transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement across North Texas.
Earlier this month, Johnson sent a letter to Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux demanding clarity on the department’s relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her inquiry raised six questions about whether DPD has agreements with ICE or the Department of Homeland Security, whether officers are detailed to ICE, how immigration status information is handled, and whether the department has received federal resources.
In response, DPD confirmed that it has no agreements with ICE under the 287(g) program and does not plan to pursue one. The Department also stated that officers are not authorized to stop or question individuals solely to determine their immigration status, although they may cooperate with federal agencies when legally required.
The DPD’s full response can be found here.
The exchange came after growing concerns from Dallas residents and immigrant rights advocates about the possibility of local-federal cooperation undermining community trust. Johnson said her visit to Bluebonnet will help shed further light on conditions in detention facilities and how ICE operates in the region.
“Families deserve to know what’s happening inside these facilities,” Johnson said. “That starts with demanding answers, and then seeing the facts for ourselves. My job is to hold government accountable and ensure that North Texans can trust that their rights and dignity are being respected.”
Across Texas, several counties have entered into 287(g) agreements with ICE, granting local law enforcement the authority to enforce federal immigration laws. Critics argue that these partnerships erode trust between police and immigrant communities, while proponents claim they enhance public safety. Johnson’s visit underscores her commitment to ensuring that North Texas takes a different approach, prioritizing transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil rights.
Congresswoman Julie Johnson represents Texas’s 32nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her district includes parts of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties.
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