“We fully intend to comply with the law, and we’re gonna do everything in our power, to comply with it,” said Sheriff Javier Salazar.
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — ICE operations have been a concern for many in the community.
Now a new Senate Bill, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on Sunday, will require Sheriff’s to work closely with ICE.
The law says once the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office enters into an agreement with ICE, they will have the power to question inmates about their immigration status, and serve administrative warrants.
“We fully intend to comply with the law, and we’re gonna do everything in our power, to comply with it,” said Sheriff Salazar.
Senate Bill 8, also known as the “Texas ICE Bill,” was signed into law over the weekend by Gov. Abbott.
The law requires sheriffs with a county population of more than 100,000 residents, to enter into an agreement with ICE to serve federal immigration warrants in their jails.
- “We’ve got through the end of 2026, to file an application with ICE, and come into an agreement,” said Salazar.
Salazar says just filing the application with ICE would satisfy compliance with the law. If ICE approves the application, then the department would have to choose one of three models.
“The Warrant Service Officer Model, seems to fit our what we do here better, It would mainly involve jail operations,” said Salazar.
Under the Warrant Service Officer Model, it trains detention deputies on identifying an inmates immigration status, and referring them for possible deportation.
“I would just as soon have my jail deputies have those authorities, and let the patrol deputies, do what patrol deputies need to be doing, and let ICE stay in their lane,” said Salazar.
The law also creates a grant program to help cover cost with the agreements, Salazar says he believes the department could be eligible for up to $140,000 a year, but those funds are also not guaranteed.
“Being that were already spending a whole lot of money on housing inmates our at other jails, we’re already spending a lot of money in regard to overtime. I don’t know that we want to put that much more of an added expense burden, on tax payers,” said Salazar.
The new law goes into effect, Jan. 1, 2026.
Salazar says they are currently working with the District’s Attorney’s Office to analyze the new law, making sure they are in compliance.