Austinites Demand City and APD Refuse Collaboration With ICE

About 200 protesters gathered in front of Austin City Hall to demand that the Austin Police Department stop collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities. Advocacy groups delivered a petition with over 10,000 signatures to city officials, demanding APD stop aiding ICE in carrying out 'administrative warrants' to deport Austinites. The protesters called for APD to refuse a higher level of partnership with ICE authorities through the 287(g) Program. City Council members have called for clarity and a revision of APD’s policy for when they encounter administrative warrants. Nonetheless, federal immigration enforcement continues in the Austin area.