Residents urge Dallas to reject ICE funding and partnerships during public comment

During open microphone on Oct. 22 multiple speakers urged the Dallas City Council to reject any funding or partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Speakers including Edmond Arriaza and Timothy Curiela said a proposed ICE funding offer (public comments referenced a $25 million figure) would come with “strings” that could undermine public safety by making immigrant communities fearful of reporting crimes and interacting with local government. They argued that local police already face trust challenges and that diverting resources or aligning with federal immigration enforcement would hamper community policing and public-safety efforts.

Speakers pointed to other U.S. cities that have limited ICE cooperation and urged Dallas to follow suit. A Sunrise Movement representative also urged the council to reject the offer and called collaboration “blood money.” Speakers framed the issue as moral and practical, cautioning that collaboration with ICE could reverse years of trust-building with community members and harm immigrant families.

No formal council action on ICE partnerships occurred during the meeting; comments were part of the public comment period. Council members did not vote for or against any ICE-related measure at this session.