District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears and District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte took to Facebook Thursday afternoon to inform the public of their meeting with the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s San Antonio field office.
“The discussion focused on public safety, operational awareness and clear jurisdictional boundaries, while reaffirming the City’s commitment to community trust and existing local policies,” Spears wrote. “These are the conversations that ensure transparency and minimize confusion for our residents.”
Spears and Whyte’s meeting with local ICE officials came days after the Express-News reports that a Cuban citizen who didn’t have legal permission to be in the U.S. crashed into two ICE vehicles as he was being detained in a Walmart parking lot Tuesday on the Northside, according to federal officials’ version of events.
The daily reports the suspect, Robyn Argote Brooks, has since been slapped with a felony charge of destruction of government property.
“Organized groups are obstructing immigration enforcement across the country, putting officers and law-abiding citizens at risk,” Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted about the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security hasn’t released evidence that the suspect was associated with any organized group.
Whyte said in his post that he and Spears received “good news” that an ICE agent purportedly injured in the incident is recovering and “will be fine.”
“We owe all our law enforcement officials, federal and local, a debt of gratitude for their work in keeping our community safe,” Whyte wrote.
The councilmembers’ meeting also comes as ICE’s enforcement tactics in Minneapolis have fanned national tensions. ICE agents have shot two people during crackdowns in the city, including the 37-year-old mother Renee Good, who died after being fired upon while in her vehicle.
A recent CNN poll found that 51% of Americans believe ICE enforcement actions are making cities less safe, compared to 31% who said they make cities safer. The remaining 18% said there’s been little effect either way.
Hundreds took to the streets in San Antonio to protest ICE’s enforcement tactics last Saturday. Meanwhile, San Antonio City Council is set to hold a Jan. 22 public meeting to discuss how SAPD operates in coordination with state and federal agencies.
“This meeting will be open to public comment, and residents are encouraged to attend as we work toward transparency, accountability, and the safety of our entire community,” District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur said on Instagram.
Those interested can register to speak at the meeting via the city website.
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