DALLAS — Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux is revising department policy to comply with an order from Gov. Greg Abbott requiring greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities, a move tied to the potential loss of tens of millions of dollars in funding.

Abbott has pressured major cities, including Dallas, Houston and Austin, to change local policies he says limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Cities that cannot comply risk losing significant state funding. In Dallas, officials said the amount at stake was $87 million in grants and World Cup funding.

Comeaux is altering the department’s General Orders to align with the state’s directive. The policy in question, General Order 315.04, previously advised officers not to ask about immigration status and did not mandate cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Dallas Police Association President Sean Pease said the issue requires attention.

“It’s just all of it’s coming and coming, you know, right to a head - right at a critical, critical moment,” Pease said.

The directive prompted a backlash from advocacy groups, residents and some elected officials, who warned it could erode trust between police and the communities they serve.

“Please stand up to those bullies in Austin,” one speaker said at an April Dallas City Council meeting. 

“This will extinguish the small amount of trust that’s left between the people and police,” another Dallas resident added. 

Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua also criticized the state’s approach.

“Take the page from the Trump administration and try and rile up their base through bully tactics instead of being a leader and promoting unity,” Bazaldua said.

Comeaux, who has crossed the one-year mark of being in office, previously emphasized that the department would not participate in the voluntary 287(g) ICE partnership program. He said his priorities included addressing a shortage of more than 600 officers and improving response times.

“We’re not immigration officers. We’re going to do our job, we’re going to answer 911 calls and we’re going to keep everyone safe in Dallas,” Comeaux told Spectrum News in a February interview. 

Under the revised policy, officers will cooperate with federal authorities when required by law. The changes largely adjust the wording of the existing order but expand what officers are permitted to do.

Officers may now prolong a detention to investigate immigration status or hold an individual for federal authorities. They can also ask about a person’s legal status if that person has been lawfully detained or arrested, though doing so is not required.

The policy maintains that officers will not stop individuals solely to check their immigration status and prohibits enforcement actions based on profiling.

Pease said the updated policy could create uncertainty for officers in the field.

“It needs to be clearly articulated to the officers to where they don’t have confusion,” he said.

Abbott’s office said it is reviewing Dallas’ revised policy.

“The Public Safety Office has extended the deadline for complying with the certification and will continue to engage with the city,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

BY Michael Lozano