Residents of Bexar County have been at the center of a whirlwind of rumors regarding potential ICE raids, but according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the speculation has little foundation—at least for now. "We have not been asked to participate. We have not been asked to attend any meetings," Sheriff Salazar told reporters, as FOX San Antonio reported.
Amidst the growing social media chatter suggesting Bexar County is slated for ICE operations, Salazar clarified that no such requests have come through his office, adding, "We've heard that Bexar County is on some sort of a list for raids, but I have not seen anything official that that may happen," Sheriff Salazar remarked, noting that despite the rumors and concerns circulating online and amongst the populace these communications haven't resulted in official actions or requests toward the Sheriff's Department, according to FOX San Antonio.
When questioned about the potential for future cooperation with ICE, Salazar stated, "Obviously we're going to cooperate with the law, but we also still have to bear in mind that racial profiling is still illegal, right? We can't just this is not no matter who the president is, we don't just have carte blanche to go tell first responders go forth and go find people of color and place them under arrest," shedding light on the delicate balance law enforcement must maintain, as highlighted by News 4 San Antonio.
The local debate on immigration reached a boiling point on Thursday, pitting city leaders against one another with City Councilmember Marc Whyte expressing support for legal immigration pathways while reminding that "President Trump has been clear on this as well that we are pro-immigration, but it's got to be done legally," a sentiment echoed during a heated discussion with Mayor Nirenberg, as reported by News 4 San Antonio; meanwhile, advocacy groups like the League of United Latin American Citizens through their Texas State Director Rosales pledge support for those at risk, saying, "We plan to stand with our undocumented communities and our children that are out there that are right now unconsciously having to live in fear and that’s not ok," an issue that continues to evoke strong feelings on both sides of the debate, regardless of the confirmed absence of raids.
