Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Dallas, looking into whether the Dallas Police Department is refusing to assist enforcing federal immigration laws.
Paxton announced the investigation Thursday, less than a month after prominent conservatives, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, criticized Dallas officials after a video circulated of interim Dallas police Chief Michael Igo telling community members the police department “is not assisting any federal agency” in detaining individuals for immigration violations.
Local governments cannot “disregard” state or federal immigration laws, Paxton said in the news release. His office said in the release that Igo’s comment “raises serious concerns that the City of Dallas and its police department may be violating Texas law.”
“The law is not optional,” Paxton said in a statement. “The people of Texas expect law enforcement agencies to uphold public safety, not to implement sanctuary policies that put our communities at risk.”
The attorney general’s office sent a letter on March 7 to Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert and Igo requesting all policies, training materials and communications related to the city’s immigration enforcement policies.
Igo referred inquiries on Thursday to the city attorney’s office. The city of Dallas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Igo made national headlines last month after the video clip of him speaking about immigration at a community meeting went viral. Igo held a news briefing days later and read a prepared statement clarifying his officers will help federal authorities arrest anyone wanted for a crime.
During the news briefing, Igo said his department has not been asked by state or federal authorities to participate in immigration enforcement efforts. He said officials will monitor changes to state and federal law and “fully comply with all existing and new legal requirements.”
