Protesters against ICE’s unconstitutional operations hold a banner during City Council’s special meeting. Credit: Michael Karlis

City Council’s high-strung meeting on the San Antonio Police Department’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was anything but ordinary.

Between council being forced into recess three separate times, the beat of drums from protesters outside council chambers and shouting matches between progressives and conservatives in the gallery, Thursday’s meeting was emblematic of the nation’s unraveling along party lines during Trump’s time in office.

After a lengthy executive session, council members received a presentation from outgoing SAPD Chief William McManus that clarified the extent of the department’s cooperation with ICE and other federal agencies.

During his presentation, McManus emphasized that SAPD is required to cooperate with ICE and other federal agencies due to Texas Senate Bill 4. Passed in 2017, the measure, which targeted so-called “sanctuary cities,” requires local police departments in Texas to assist federal agencies with immigration law enforcement.

San Antonio was fined $300,000 in 2022 as part of a settlement with the State of Texas for failing to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city after the San Antonio Police Union submitted a tip, city attorney Andy Segovia said during Thursday’s meeting.

Although ICE appears immune from prosecution under the current presidential administration, SAPD personnel — even when assisting the federal agency — are required to follow local policies at all times. Additionally, McManus said SAPD does not have the authority to arrest people on administrative warrants, or warrants issued by federal immigration officials for those suspected of violating immigration laws.

Even so, San Antonio police are required to contact ICE if the department has someone in its custody on an unrelated charge and they happen to have an administrative warrant for an unrelated charge outstanding.

Several council members inquired about SAPD’s role in November’s federal raid of a food truck park that federal officials called an “underground nightclub.” Although nearly 150 people were arrested, few were charged with crimes.

Although SAPD was present at the raid, McManus said its officers were primarily tasked with scene security — the same function San Antonio police predominantly serve when assisting ICE.

More than 150 members of the public signed up to speak at the Council’s special meeting, with plenty more public comments to go as of press time.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...