Dallas, October 17, 2025
News Summary
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux has announced the department’s decision to decline a $25 million offer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to participate in the 287(g) program, which would allow local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. The DPD prioritized local public safety over federal immigration enforcement, stating they do not collect individuals’ immigration status during policing activities. Chief Comeaux emphasized a commitment to addressing violent crime while opting out of any ICE collaboration.
Dallas — Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux announced at a Community Police Oversight Board meeting that he declined a $25 million offer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration laws. The chief made clear that the Dallas Police Department (DPD) does not engage in immigration enforcement and lacks the authority to do so.
Key details
The funding proposal was part of ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to handle certain immigration duties. Chief Comeaux stated that federal authorities contacted DPD with an offer of $25 million to join the 287(g) program, and the department declined. Over 140 law enforcement agencies in Texas currently have agreements with ICE to participate in 287(g) partnerships.
At the state level, Texas has moved to expand local collaboration with federal immigration authorities through recent legislation. Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8, which mandates that all Texas sheriff’s offices with jails must enter agreements with ICE by December 1, 2026. Despite that statewide mandate for sheriffs’ offices, Dallas has chosen not to enter into a 287(g) agreement and continues to focus on local public safety priorities.
Immediate operational stance
Chief Comeaux emphasized that DPD officers do not actively collect information regarding individuals’ immigration status during regular law enforcement activities. He confirmed that DPD has not entered into a formal agreement with ICE and does not proactively seek to enforce immigration status checks. Federal authorities have not requested DPD’s help with immigration enforcement to date.
The chief noted that DPD officers may, in limited circumstances, assist federal agents by securing perimeters or providing transport during specific operations, but that such assistance does not constitute department-led immigration enforcement. Recent social media posts suggesting routine DPD involvement in immigration arrests were described by the chief as misleading. Video clips circulating online were identified as showing DPD officers collaborating with U.S. Marshals, not ICE, and have been widely misinterpreted.
Why the decision matters
Local acceptance of ICE 287(g) partnerships would change the scope of some law enforcement duties at participating agencies. The DPD’s refusal of the offered funding signals a decision to maintain the department’s current operational focus, which the chief described as responding to 911 calls and addressing violent crime in Dallas. City officials and community members have raised questions about what accepting 287(g) funds would mean for policing priorities and community trust, prompting the chief to clarify the department’s current position and practices.
Broader context
The 287(g) program is a federal initiative that permits, under agreement, certain local law enforcement officers to perform specific immigration enforcement functions. Participation varies by jurisdiction; in Texas, more than 140 agencies have entered such agreements. State legislation requiring sheriffs’ offices with jails to sign ICE agreements by December 1, 2026, adds a statutory element that does not directly apply to municipal police departments like DPD but affects county-level law enforcement statewide.
The chief expressed concern that ongoing public discussion about this issue could draw unwanted attention to Dallas regarding immigration enforcement operations and characterized immigration enforcement as a non-issue for the city’s policing strategy. He reiterated that DPD officers remain focused on public safety priorities and that the department does not engage in routine immigration-status checks during regular policing activities.
What to watch next
Key items to monitor include any formal requests from federal authorities for DPD assistance, changes in state or federal policy related to 287(g) participation, and local responses from community groups and elected officials. For now, the department’s official stance is a clear refusal of the offered 287(g) funding and a continued focus on core policing duties in Dallas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Dallas Police Department accept ICE funding to enforce immigration laws?
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux announced at a Community Police Oversight Board meeting that he declined a $25 million offer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration laws.
Does the Dallas Police Department engage in immigration enforcement?
Comeaux emphasized that the Dallas Police Department (DPD) does not engage in immigration enforcement and lacks the authority to do so.
What was the $25 million offer related to?
The proposed partnership was part of ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to handle certain immigration duties.
How many agencies in Texas have 287(g) agreements?
Over 140 law enforcement agencies in Texas currently have agreements with ICE for 287(g) partnerships.
Does state law affect local participation in 287(g)?
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8, mandating that all Texas sheriff’s offices with jails must enter agreements with ICE by December 1, 2026.
Has DPD been asked to help with immigration enforcement?
The chief acknowledged during the meeting that federal authorities have not requested DPD’s help with immigration enforcement thus far.
Do DPD officers collect immigration status during regular activities?
DPD officers do not actively collect information regarding individuals’ immigration status during regular law enforcement activities.
Were videos of DPD officers evidence of ICE collaboration?
Comeaux mentioned that videos circulating online depicting DPD officers were misinterpreted; the clips showed officers collaborating with U.S. Marshals, not ICE.
Has the department entered into a formal ICE agreement?
Comeaux confirmed that DPD has not entered into a formal agreement with ICE and does not proactively seek to enforce immigration status checks.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| City | Dallas |
| DPD decision | Declined a $25 million offer from ICE to join 287(g) |
| Program | 287(g) program allows local law enforcement to handle certain immigration duties |
| Texas participation | Over 140 law enforcement agencies in Texas currently have agreements with ICE for 287(g) partnerships |
| State mandate | Senate Bill 8 requires Texas sheriff’s offices with jails to enter ICE agreements by December 1, 2026 |
| DPD practices | DPD officers do not actively collect immigration status during regular law enforcement activities and have not entered a formal agreement with ICE |
| Public clarifications | Videos showing DPD were misinterpreted; clips showed officers collaborating with U.S. Marshals, not ICE |
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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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