Police in Dallas are assuring residents that the recent crackdown on mass deportations by the Trump administration will not take place in their city. According to News, Dallas authorities are worried that these deportation actions could create fear and distrust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
Concerned about the situation, Dallas police have been holding meetings to reassure immigrants in North Texas that they are safe. Officers made it clear that they will not participate in any mass deportation raids or arrests of undocumented immigrants.
The meetings, which began on Wednesday, have been held in places like Irving, White Settlement, and a church in Southeast Dallas. At the church meeting, interim Dallas Police Chief Michael Igo emphasized that his department will not assist federal agencies in detaining undocumented individuals.
“The Dallas Police Department is not helping any federal agency arrest people based on their immigration status,” Igo stated. He also reassured Spanish-speaking residents that if they call 911 for help or get pulled over for a traffic stop, they will not be reported to immigration authorities.
Igo encouraged families to continue their daily lives without fear. “Please keep calling the police when needed, go to work, send your kids to school, and don’t be afraid,” he urged.
However, Igo did clarify that undocumented immigrants with criminal warrants are still at risk of deportation. “If someone committed a crime in the past and there is a warrant for their arrest, they could be taken into custody,” he explained.
Sarita Rico, the pastor of the church where one of the meetings was held, shared her concerns with News. She said many of her congregation members, many of whom are immigrants from Mexico and Latin America, are extremely worried due to recent federal actions.
“They just want to work and support their families,” Rico said. “They don’t want to live in fear of deportation.” She also mentioned that some churchgoers have stopped attending services, and some parents are afraid to send their children to school.
Dallas police have planned four more meetings over the next eight days to continue reassuring immigrant communities and providing them with information.
