Texas Sheriffs and ICE: Why Senate Bill 8 Threatens Immigrant Rights and Public Trust

This past week, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 8 (SB 8)—a deeply troubling piece of legislation that would force Texas sheriffs to collaborate more closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), even in counties that have resisted doing so in the past. While framed as a measure to enhance “border security,” this bill opens the door to widespread overreach, racial profiling, and the breakdown of trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.

As an immigration attorney who works every day with individuals and families trying to follow the law, contribute to their communities, and live with dignity, I must say this bill is not just misguided—it is dangerous.

Fighting back in the senate

What SB 8 Actually Does

SB 8 would require all Texas sheriffs operating jails to enter into “warrant service model agreements” with ICE. These agreements allow jailers to serve ICE-issued immigration warrants—often civil, not criminal—on individuals already in custody for unrelated offenses.

Let’s be clear: this is not about targeting dangerous criminals. This is about enlisting local law enforcement to act as de facto federal immigration agents. The “warrant service model” does not send ICE officers into the field—it keeps enforcement within jails. But that doesn’t make it less harmful. In fact, it quietly accelerates deportations behind closed doors, often without due process or legal representation.

A Step Backward in Community Policing

This bill is not about fixing our broken immigration system. It’s about expanding a system that already punishes people simply for being present in the U.S. without status—even if they are tax-paying workers, long-time residents, and parents of U.S. citizens.

Under this law, sheriffs will now be forced to prioritize civil immigration enforcement over public safety, even when doing so undermines the very communities they are sworn to protect.

The result? Immigrants will become even more fearful of reporting crimes, cooperating with investigations, or even calling for help in emergencies. That’s not security. That’s state-sponsored alienation.

What Supporters Are Saying—And What They're Getting Wrong

Supporters of SB 8, including Rep. David Spiller and former Sheriff AJ Louderback, claim the bill will “streamline” processes and improve efficiency. But efficiency should never come at the cost of fairness or civil rights. We cannot shortcut justice in the name of enforcement.

The truth is: this bill reinforces an “enforcement-only” mindset that ignores the root causes of migration and does nothing to fix the legal system immigrants are trapped in. As Rep. Rafael Anchia of Dallas noted during the debate, “It produces bad results. It rewards the cartels. It rewards cruelty.”

What This Means for Immigrants in Texas

The passage of SB 8 means that any immigrant arrested in Texas—regardless of whether they are convicted—could be funneled into ICE custody simply for lacking legal status.

This will disproportionately affect:

• Long-time residents with expired visas

• Asylum seekers awaiting hearings

• DACA recipients in legal limbo

• Parents of U.S. citizen children

• People arrested on low-level or nonviolent charges

Many of these individuals contribute to our communities, pay taxes, and work hard to stay in compliance with the law. They deserve a path forward, not a fast track to deportation.

We Must Push Back

As a lawyer who represents immigrants from all walks of life, I urge every Texan to pay attention. This isn’t just a policy change—it’s a shift in how we treat our neighbors. It’s time to demand immigration solutions that reflect our values—not just our fears.

📢 Call your representatives. Speak to your local sheriff. Show up at town halls. Share this story.

And if you or someone you love may be affected by this bill, please don’t wait.

⚖️ Contact our office today to discuss your rights, your options, and how we can fight back—together.