Houston police officers chat with residents during a community event, a moment that reflects the comfort some people feel in everyday interactions with law enforcement. The scene contrasts with the fear some immigrants still hold even as the City Council ended the 30‑minute immigration detention rule on April 8.
Photo by Emmanuella Desruisseaux via Houston Newsroom
Houston passed a new ordinance ending the 30‑minute waiting rule for immigration detentions during traffic stops, requiring officers to release people once the legal stop is complete.
The discussion and approval took place during a Houston City Council public meeting, April 8, 2026.
Under the previous rule passed last month, federal immigration officers had 30 minutes to arrive and if they did not show up in time, Houston police had to release the individual.
The rule was created to limit long detentions during traffic stops and to prevent people from being held without clear immigration authority.
Councilwoman Alejandra Salinas, who has pushed to limit HPD’s coordination with ICE, said the change to the rule brings clarity to how officers handle immigration warrants.
“If someone is pulled over and there is an administrative warrant, they must issue the ticket and let the individual go,” Salinas said.
The ordinance also requires HPD to publish quarterly reports showing how often officers ask about immigration status or contact federal officials, she said.
Even with the change, some immigrants say fear remains in daily interactions with police.
Linda, a local immigrant from Haiti who came to America 20 years ago and to Houston two years ago, and who asked to use a pseudonym, said she still worries during any stop.
She said years of fear or some immigrants do not disappear with one policy change.
However when discussing if HPD would follow the law, Linda said she cannot speak for the police or how they will use the rule.
Although Linda is a U.S. citizen, Linda said that there is a chance that the police would not care and would still attempt to get her detained.
“I know they don’t really like immigrants here. So I always think they’re gonna call ICE on me,” she said.
Traffic stops remain one of the most feared moments for many immigrants, even those with legal status according to Linda.
According to HPD’s 2025 Racial Profiling Report, the department conducted over 300,000 traffic stops last year.
Salinas said the new rule is meant to bring clarity to those encounters.
The ordinance aims to limit long detentions and build trust, said Salinas, though she acknowledged fear will not disappear overnight.