The announced arrival of citizen immigration patrols in Houston has rekindled a long-smoldering debate over the city’s hands-off policy toward illegal immigrants.
Since 1992, Houston police officers have been officially forbidden from enforcing immigration law in most cases. Other city departments generally take a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach toward immigrants, officials acknowledge.
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Houston’s policy is more complex than sometimes portrayed. In 1992, Houston Police Chief Sam Nuchia signed General Order 500-5, which states: “Officers shall not make inquiries as to the citizenship status of any person, nor will officers detain or arrest persons solely on the belief that they are in this country illegally.”
But the policy has never been formally approved by the City Council and does not officially govern other departments. Before he became a city councilman, immigration attorney Gordon Quan lobbied for a law that would make Houston a “Safety Zone” for illegal immigrants. The proposal died in 1997 after garnering no council support.
But even without the official policy, city officials outside the Police Department are not encouraged to cooperate with immigration officials, Quan notes. He does not see any point in revisiting the issue.
“I just think it would be very divisive to talk about this immigration policy,” he said.
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But [Harris County District 6 Constable Victor] Trevi
