In Dallas, a debate has erupted among city leaders over the role of local authorities in federal immigration enforcement. Mayor Eric Johnson has openly criticized Police Chief Daniel Comeaux for his decision to turn down a $25 million proposal to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Johnson, who has expressed support for initiatives by former President Donald Trump to deport undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes, wrote a letter to city council committee chairs. In the letter, he condemned Comeaux’s decision as “unilateral” and called for a public review, according to Fox 4 News. The mayor argued that an agreement involving such a significant federal funding amount should be subject to city council oversight to ensure accountability and transparency.

The mayor further pointed out that partnering with ICE could have generated significant revenue for both the city and the police department, as reported by local media.

Last Tuesday, Comeaux announced his decision to decline the $25 million offer from ICE, a significant shift from his earlier commitment to enhance cooperation with federal authorities.

Sen. Ted Cruz, Mayor Eric Johnson, and Police Chief Daniel Comeaux were seen addressing the media during a press conference held on September 24, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Aric Becker/AFP via Getty Images)

Since assuming leadership of the Dallas Police Department (DPD) in April, Comeaux had initially indicated a departure from the city’s previous sanctuary-style policies, suggesting a move towards aligning with the state’s more stringent immigration enforcement approach.

However, during a meeting with the Community Police Oversight Board last week, Comeaux disclosed that he had rejected the multimillion-dollar offer, which would have enlisted the Dallas Police Department in an ICE program targeting undocumented immigrants. 

“We were contacted by the federal government, I think it was last week or within the last two weeks, and we were offered $25 million to be part of 287 G. And we said, absolutely no, not, no, that was me who said that. Turned it down,” Comeaux said.

“No one is going to be wearing a DPD uniform enforcing federal laws. It just won’t happen,” Comeaux said. 

“We as DPD are not doing any immigration enforcement. We don’t have the authority to do that, nor have we done that, nor will we do that,” he added.

Mayor Eric Johnson speaks during a press conference on Sept. 24, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. (Aric Becker/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the reversal, Comeaux told Fox News Digital in a statement on Wednesday that the department is still committed to working “alongside federal authorities to go after violent fugitives, drug traffickers, and domestic violence offenders to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

“I want to be clear: we will not prevent any agency from conducting lawful activity in Dallas, but we will remain focused on our primary mission: responding to emergencies and continuing to fight violent crime in Dallas,” he said.

“Our Department is committed to serving Dallas by responding to 9-1-1 calls and proactively and aggressively targeting violent criminals. I have an open line of communication with our federal law enforcement partners, and our officers will continue to provide assistance when they are requested,” Comeaux added.

Law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel respond to a scene in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2025. (Jeffrey McWhorter/Reuters)

Over the weekend, four city council members, Chad West, Jaime Resendez, Adam Bazaldua and Paula Caldwell Blackmon, came out to publicly back the chief in a statement.

“While the Dallas Police Department’s role is to ensure the public safety of our community, immigration and related activities are a federal responsibility,” the letter read.

They added that joining ICE’s program would “turn local law enforcement into an arm of federal immigration enforcement and could result in betrayal of trust between the Dallas Police Department and the community they are sworn to protect.”