Tarrant County city considers joining ICE’s immigration enforcement program
Keller could become the largest Texas city to partner with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
If approved by council at the Aug. 5 meeting, Keller law enforcement officers would be a part of ICE’s 287(g) program. The program authorizes state and local officers to “perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight,” according to the website.
For Keller, this would mean that when a person is arrested and taken to jail, a legal status check would be performed.
Mayor Armin Mizani said Keller law enforcement has already been doing the same thing when they run background checks on people checked into their jail.
“We’ve been doing that now for a number of years, but just never formally opted into that 287(g) program,” Mizani said. “And so ultimately, for me, this is an opportunity for us to continue to collaborate and partner with federal law enforcement agencies and immigration and customs.”
Since the jail started checking for legal status two years ago, law enforcement has found 31 immigrants with illegal status.
Mizani clarified in a Facebook post that this system “targets criminals, not law-abiding residents.”
He said that this program will not only protect Keller, but the surrounding communities as well. Mizani said it ensures the city and law enforcement knows who is being booked into the jail and who is committing offenses.
“At the same time, my hope is that it will signal to other municipalities that do have jails within their jurisdiction to collaborate with the federal government and at the end of the day, you know, enforce federal law,” Mizani said.
Keller would be the fourth city in Texas to join the program, and the only city in Tarrant County. The county has been in the program since 2017.
By formalizing the relationship with ICE, Mizani said the city will receive training and expenses paid for through the federal government.
“At the end of the day, this is about public safety and protecting people,” Mizani said, “and to me, that’s just non-negotiable.”
At the Aug. 5 meeting, the mayor expects the decision will be unanimous, though there may be some opposition from citizens. The other six council members decided against commenting until the meeting.
This measure fits into Senate Bill 8, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 20, which requires Texas sheriffs to partner with ICE. It also establishes a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements.
Senate Bill 36, signed by Abbott on the same day in Fort Worth, establishes a homeland security division within the Texas Department of Public Safety.
This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM.