The climate of uncertainty and fear is growing in several Texas cities, as local authorities face a difficult decision about how far to cooperate with federal agencies in charge of migrant detention. With President Donald Trump’s administration stepping up efforts to carry out immigration arrests, the state of Texas has become both a legal and social battleground, with mayors and local authorities caught between a rock and a hard place.
The recent increase in coordinated operations between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), resulting in a series of arrests in Austin and San Antonio, has generated a wave of concern among immigrant communities and the state’s political class. The arrests, which include migrants with criminal records, have left a palpable trail of tension and fear in the region.
Austin, Texas, and resistance to cooperation with ICE
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, expressed his concern to The Texas Tribune and noted that police in the state capital are adamant about not cooperating with ICE. This stance reflects local resistance to immigration detention policies implemented by the federal government, especially in the face of growing fear among residents who fear arbitrary arrest or persecution.
Watson also acknowledged the fear that has gripped Austin’s immigrant communities. “The fear is palpable”, he said, describing the widespread anxiety in neighborhoods where many fear detention and deportation. Recent ICE actions in the city have exacerbated this sense of vulnerability, as local authorities attempt to balance law enforcement with residents’ human rights.

San Antonio, cooperation with conditions
On the other hand, in San Antonio, the position of the local authorities has been different. Mayor Ron Nirenberg, also a Democrat, assured that his government ‘follows the law’ and works in cooperation with the federal authorities, but with a clear focus: only migrants who have been convicted of violent crimes are transferred to ICE. This process is known as an ‘immigration detainer’, and refers to holding individuals in local authorities’ custody until ICE assumes responsibility for detention.
Nirenberg emphasized that, despite this cooperation, his administration will not tolerate any anti-immigrant rhetoric or actions that seek to divide communities. According to his statements to local media, “we will continue as we always have, working together with the police, but we will not allow fear and hate speech to take over our city”.

The debate over local cooperation and municipal autonomy
This conflict raises a profound debate over the role of local authorities vis-à-vis federal policies on immigration issues. While some mayors, such as Watson, advocate respecting municipal autonomy and protecting their communities, others, such as Nirenberg, align themselves with the need to comply with the law, albeit under specific conditions to protect migrants’ rights.
The growing fear among immigrant residents highlights the tensions between public safety and human rights. For many families, the risk of detention or deportation has become a constant source of anxiety, further complicating the landscape of cooperation between levels of government.
What’s next for Texas?
As migrant detentions continue, the state of Texas faces an uncertain future in terms of immigration policy. The reluctance of some mayors and local authorities to cooperate fully with ICE could lead to a legal battle, while fear and distrust among immigrant communities continue to grow.
The outcome of this standoff could have a significant impact on local and state elections, as voters seek answers to their concerns about security, civil rights, and social justice in the context of immigration.