SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The City of San Antonio began publishing monthly reports on Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests for assistance involving the San Antonio Police Department, officials said, as part of a transparency initiative tied to city council directives on immigration-related operations.
City officials said the reports document ICE requests that involved SAPD or other city departments, including the date of each incident, the number of officers involved, the actions taken, and associated costs. Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez said the information will be posted publicly on the city’s website.
The first report, covering March and April 1, listed three ICE-related incidents and recorded a total cost of $1,518 to the city.
On March 13, SAPD responded to an ICE request for assistance involving a person allegedly resisting arrest in the 100 block of Dokes. The department deployed 12 officers for scene security, and San Antonio EMS treated two ICE agents and the detained individual after exposure to pepper spray. The city reported a cost of $839 for the response.
On March 30, San Antonio Airport Police assisted ICE at Terminal B at San Antonio International Airport during the escort of an individual with removal orders. Two officers assisted in handcuffing the individual, who was taken into ICE custody. The reported cost was $253.
On April 1, SAPD responded to an ICE request in the 3500 block of Crosspoint involving an individual allegedly in possession of narcotics. Two officers transported the individual to the city’s arrestee processing center. The city reported a cost of $426.
City officials said the reports do not include reimbursement from federal agencies for the expenses. Villagomez said the city is evaluating potential grant opportunities for future recovery of costs.
SAPD Chief William McManus said earlier this year that the department does not enforce federal immigration laws and does not make arrests solely for immigration violations.
Texas law, including Senate Bill 4 passed in 2017, requires local officials to cooperate with certain federal immigration enforcement requests and establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said the city will comply with state law while continuing to provide public updates on immigration-related coordination.
