Dallas Police Chief Rejected $25 Million ICE Funding Offer
DALLAS – Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia declined a $25 million funding offer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intended to bolster collaboration between the city’s police department and federal immigration enforcement, sources confirmed this week. The offer, presented to Garcia earlier this year, aimed to provide resources for joint operations and increased support for local law enforcement in identifying and detaining individuals for potential deportation.
Garcia voiced concerns about the potential impact of accepting the funds, stating, “We don’t need that attention, we don’t want to deal with that smoke,” according to sources familiar with the discussions. He reportedly questioned the necessity of the collaboration, emphasizing, “So I don’t understand why we’re doing this when nothing has happened.” The decision comes as cities nationwide grapple with heightened immigration enforcement and deportation activity.
The offer and Garcia’s rejection occur amidst a national debate over sanctuary city policies and local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement. Dallas, like many major cities, is navigating the complexities of balancing community trust with federal immigration priorities. Garcia’s initial stance,publicly clarified after a Fox News interview sparked controversy,has been to limit the department’s involvement in immigration enforcement to cases involving individuals with felony warrants.
Following the Fox News interview, during which Garcia stated his department would assist federal agencies “as long as they’re doing it by the law and doing it with respect,” he walked back the comments, clarifying they pertained only to individuals with outstanding felony warrants. The police oversight board attempted to question Garcia about his position on immigration, but was restricted from doing so during a June meeting due to Texas Open Meetings Act regulations.The board had been seeking clarity after Garcia’s initial comments signaled a potential shift in the department’s approach to immigration enforcement.
