Taylor meeting erupts over police'ICE 287(g) agreement; school board asks city to terminate pact

Police policy and a recent memorandum of agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement dominated public comment at the Taylor City Council meeting on June 17.

Police Chief John Blair told the council that officers would not be assigned to task forces or sent outside the city under the updated 287(g) agreement and that "if they commit a homicide or a serious crime, we would contact ICE," a position he said matches longstanding practice. He added that written explanations and prior signed agreements dating back to 2008 are on file with the city attorney and that officers have not been sent to ICE-led task forces under the present agreement.

Multiple residents and the Taylor Board of Education raised concerns about the agreement at the meeting. "The board does not agree with or condone the city of Taylor or its police department's decision to enter into an updated ICE agreement," Linda Moore, president of the Taylor Board of Education, read as part of a resolution asking the mayor and city council to terminate the 287(g) agreement immediately. The resolution also requests that school-district property and students be exempt from any immigration-enforcement functions conducted by the city.

Several public commenters urged the council to clarify legal authority and liability. One speaker referenced the Home Rule City Act and argued that a police chief alone cannot execute an intergovernmental agreement without legislative approval; that commenter said the agreement could be challenged in court or through an ethics complaint. The chief and city staff said they would share written responses and relevant MOA documentation with councilmembers.

The meeting featured sharp exchanges from residents and school officials about whether the agreement could expose students and families to profiling or detention. Erin Hanson, a public commenter, asked bluntly, "Why are we letting ICE do their ******** here?" and another speaker urged the council to state its position publicly so residents understand how the city plans to proceed.

Mayor Willie and council members acknowledged the community's concerns and said they would place further information and a resolution on a future agenda; a councilmember said she would present a resolution at the next meeting. No formal legislative action to terminate or affirm the agreement occurred during the June 17 session.

Next steps: city officials said they will provide the written MOA and the chief's written answers to councilmembers and will schedule council consideration of a resolution at an upcoming meeting.