Proposed Ordinances

Cheryl Abrams argued that Houston cannot afford the economic consequences of draconian immigration policies, emphasizing immigrants' contributions to the workforce and economy.

Kevin Huachin of Workers' Defense Action Fund spoke about the importance of the proposed ordinance for the community and urged council members to consider the historical impact of their decisions.

Yareli Gomez, present in the audience, was given an opportunity to speak regarding the proposed ordinances.

Marlony Chrysanto described aggressive and racist policing towards Latinos and shared an instance of a friend being deported after police action, questioning law enforcement's example.

Mark Dow, a journalist, shared his observations of ICE agents violating the law and criticized the city's collaboration with federal agencies, stating it's about removing non-citizens, particularly non-white ones.

Elizabeth Ortiz shared a personal story about her husband's arrest and beating, emphasizing the difficulty of navigating the legal system and the profound impact on her family.

Nora Dayton, a transgender woman, expressed deep concern that cooperation with ICE threatens her safety and the safety of others, urging the city to prioritize restraint and dignity.

Jason Carpenter stated that federal efforts to dehumanize immigrants are threatening Houston and urged leaders to challenge these actions, comparing Governor Abbott's tactics to terrorism.

Randall Callanan, a civil rights lawyer, argued that the proposed ordinance is unconstitutional, citing Supreme Court precedent and concerns about vague language.

Darlene De Leon argued that the ordinance provides clarity on roles, allowing local police to focus on public safety while federal agencies handle immigration, and stressed the need for clear boundaries for public safety.

Walter Mallett spoke about the need for people to feel safe in their communities and asserted that residents who work hard and belong in Houston deserve to be here.

Matthew Banzer criticized Governor Abbott's focus on defunding the police and argued that the ordinance does not violate SB4, while also questioning the mayor's political strategy.