Tarrant County commissioners voted 3-2 on Wednesday to partner with federal immigration officials, accepting a $140,000 grant to comply with a new Texas law.
The decision sparked opposition from residents who packed the meeting to voice concerns about eroding community trust. The partnership satisfies Senate Bill 8, which requires Texas sheriffs to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through jail operations, warrant service, or task force participation.
The grant will reportedly cover the sheriff’s department expenses for handling inmates who are illegal aliens.
More than a dozen speakers signed up for public comment, all opposing the measure.
“Are they gonna step in and say we want you to act like us? What control will they have over you the more you accept money from them, the more you do with them, the more you partner with them?” asked Pam Hardwick, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
Sandra Cooley warned that “collaboration with ICE will further erode our trust in the sheriff’s department and opens us up to lawsuits.”
“Maybe yes, your hands are tied by the state, but your platform and your voice aren’t. Nowhere in the code did I find that you can’t say loudly and clearly for everyone in this room and online that you support our immigrant community in Tarrant County,” Lydia Cardenas said, per Fox 4.
Many speakers argued that the state law is unconstitutional. Their concerns reflect broader tensions over immigration enforcement in Texas communities.
Commissioners supporting the measure said rejecting federal money made little sense given the state requirement.
“Some of you will say, ‘I hate ICE. I’m against ICE or whatever.’ And you have that right to do that. But at the end of the day, what this does is protect every single community, regardless of neighbor status, socioeconomic status,” said Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, according to Fox 4.
The new partnership takes effect as Senate Bill 8 becomes law, forcing sheriff’s departments across Texas to formalize relationships with federal immigration authorities. The Tarrant County vote signals how local governments are navigating between state mandates and community opposition.
