Since early September 2007 the City of Garland Texas Police Chief, Mitch Bates, has prohibited his officers from contacting I.C.E. officials without prior approval from their supervisors. 

Chief Bates has passed down to his officers that only extreme aggravated felonies committed by illegal immigrants (such as murder, kidnapping, etc.) may be reported to federal government officials. 

This violates the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (a federal law), which states that no government official may prohibit or restrict, in any way, another official’s communication with I.C.E. 

Having said that, with Chief Bates’ “unwritten policy”, illegal immigrants who assault their spouses, evade the police, hit your vehicle while driving without insurance and leave the scene, “expose” themselves to your family, sell drugs to your kids, and break into your car, are doing so without consequence after they are released from jail on their charges. 

 Previously, Dallas area I.C.E. officials would send detention holds for ANY illegal immigrant that was in the Garland Jail, providing the arresting officer contacted them AND it only took about 5 minutes of the officer’s time. 

“The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952” (INA) is the main body of laws governing immigration.  There are several amendments to the INA which includes the “Illegal Immigration Reform and Responsibility act of 1996” (IIRIRA). 

 The INA laws can be found at www.uscis.gov under “Laws & Regulations” as well as the mentioned amendment. 

INA, Title II, Chapter 8 (General Penalty Provisions), Act 274 may also apply to Chief Bates. 

Anyone who wishes to contact Mitch Bates may do so at batesm@ci.garland.tx.us or by calling the police dispatchers at 972-485-4840, the will surely be able to help you. 

If you wish to speak to a Garland City Council Member instead, you may find their e-mail addresses at the city’s website (www.ci.garland.tx.us).  

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996

SEC. 642. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE.

(a) IN GENERAL.-Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, a Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual.

    (b) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.-Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, no person or agency may prohibit, or in any way restrict, a Federal, State, or local government entity from doing any of the following with respect to information regarding the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual:

(1) Sending such information to, or requesting or receiving such information from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

(2) Maintaining such information.

(3) Exchanging such information with any other Federal, State, or local government entity.

    (c) OBLIGATION TO RESPOND TO INQUIRIES.-The Immigration and Naturalization Service shall respond to an inquiry by a Federal, State, or local government agency, seeking to verify or ascertain the citizenship or immigration status of any individual within the jurisdiction of the agency for any purpose authorized by law, by providing the requested verification or status information.