Johnson Demands Transparency from Dallas Police Department Regarding ICE Cooperation
WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) sent a letter to the Dallas Police Department’s Chief of Police Daniel Comeaux demanding transparency on the Department’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“As a member of Congress with oversight authority of federal immigration enforcement, I take seriously my duty to ensure these partnerships uphold the rule of law, constitutional protections, and community safety,” Johnson wrote. “Recent public statements, community forums, and media reports have raised questions about the Dallas Police Department’s position on ICE detention practices and the 287(g) program. These instances raise critical civil rights concerns and can damage trust between immigrant communities and local police, particularly when reports surface of individuals being detained without clear identification or justification.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the 287(g) program is an initiative that allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws within their jurisdictions.
The full letter is below and linked on Congresswoman Johnson’s website here.
Dear Chief Comeaux,
As the U.S. Representative for Texas’ 32nd Congressional District and a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I write to seek clarity on the Dallas Police Department’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly in light of public concerns raised by my constituents and community oversight bodies.
As a member of Congress with oversight authority of federal immigration enforcement, I take seriously my duty to ensure these partnerships uphold the rule of law, constitutional protections, and community safety. I admire the work you have already done in Dallas to focus on violent fugitives and violent crime reduction; both in your new role, and in the past with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Like you, I also believe strong community engagement is the foundation to fighting crime in communities across North Texas.
Recent public statements, community forums, and media reports have raised questions about the Dallas Police Department’s position on ICE detention practices and the 287(g) program.
As you are aware, the 287(g) program allows for deep collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement—sometimes resulting in the detention and deportation of individuals without criminal records. These instances raise critical civil rights concerns and can damage trust between immigrant communities and local police, particularly when reports surface of individuals being detained without clear identification or justification.
I am requesting a detailed explanation of the Dallas Police Department’s current policy regarding cooperation with ICE, including:
Has your department entered into any Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or informal agreements with ICE or other DHS agencies?
What is the criteria used to determine when and how DPD engages with ICE or assists in immigration enforcement?
Does your department collect or share immigration status information during routine policing?
What is the department’s process for ensuring transparency and accountability in federal partnerships?
Are DPD officers ever stationed or detailed to work alongside ICE officers, and if so, in what capacity?
Has your department received funding, equipment, or other resources from ICE or DHS this year? If so, for what purposes?
I appreciate your prompt attention to this inquiry and respectfully request a written response no later than August 21st, 2025.
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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