Austin Police Issue New Guidelines Aimed at Reducing Officer Referrals to ICE

March 6, 2026

Austin Police unveiled a set of new guidelines intended to narrow the circumstances in which officers notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement. City protests over APD referrals to federal immigration authorities prompted the policy review and the subsequent changes.

Police Chief Lisa Davis described the revisions as likely to cut down on immigration detentions that arise from routine contacts between residents and APD officers. She framed the updates as a step toward altering how local policing intersects with federal immigration enforcement.

The department said the guidance specifies when and how officers should communicate with ICE, with the goal of reducing referrals born out of everyday law enforcement activity. APD officials stressed the move reflects a reassessment of past practices after community concern and public demonstrations.

Protesters had criticized the department for moments when local encounters led to federal immigration action, and those demonstrations helped push the topic into the spotlight. Community members and advocates raised questions about the impact of APD reporting on immigrant residents' willingness to engage with police.

Officials did not outline every operational detail in the announcement, but they emphasized that the policy adjustments are meant to limit unnecessary transfers to federal authorities. City law enforcement leaders said they will monitor how the changes affect detention numbers tied to APD interactions.

Advocates and residents told reporters they will be watching to see whether the department follows through on its commitments, and whether the new rules translate into measurable reductions in referrals to ICE. APD leaders said they expect the guidance to change on-the-ground practices, but they did not offer a timeline for full implementation or release specific metrics at this time.