Photo: Danielle Villasana / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed during Tuesday's City Council meeting that HPD was not assisting ICE operations.
"HPD has not participated in federal efforts. HPD enforces state laws and will hold violators of state law, violent offenders, accountable regardless of your immigration status. We've been very clear about that," Whitmire said. "It's a sad situation. I know the anxiety of our communities."
Whitmire added that, "I think right now, quite frankly, being aware, you've got a great police department. They know what their duties are and they're going to carry out their duties as they have historically. So let's stay in touch and let HPD do its local job and then the federal government we have no control over," Whitmire said.
The Mayor did not mention the ongoing HPD staffing problem that has left the department between 1,500 and 2,000 officers short.
You can watch the Mayor's full comments below.