San Antonio’s D7 Councilwoman Urges City to Track ICE Civil Rights Abuses
After reports of federal agents entering homes without warrants, District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito is calling for a centralized city system to document and track ICE-related civil rights violations, saying the lack of formal reporting leaves residents vulnerable and the City without accountability.
Her call follows a City Council briefing last week on coordination between the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
SAPD Not Enforcing Immigration Law
Alderete Gavito said the briefing confirmed that SAPD is acting within the law and is not enforcing immigration law.
“SAPD is only complying with what the law requires,” she said. “Our officers are not enforcing immigration law. They are focused on public safety.”
She stressed that this distinction matters because residents should not fear being questioned about immigration status when calling police for help.
Related: Wemby is “Horrified” over ICE Actions
Chief Confirms Legal Limits
SAPD Chief William McManus addressed those concerns directly during the briefing.
“We understand the concerns and fears in our community and we are very sensitive to them,” McManus said. “SAPD is not enforcing immigration laws. We cannot do that by law. We will continue to protect San Antonio with fairness, integrity and respect.”
Alderete Gavito said she was proud of SAPD’s position and its adherence to legal boundaries.
Reports of Warrantless Home Entries
At the same time, the councilwoman said reports of ICE agents entering homes without warrants are deeply troubling and represent clear violations of constitutional rights.
She said those reports highlight a gap in how the City tracks and responds to civil rights abuses tied to federal enforcement activity.
That is why I am calling for a centralized way to track civil rights abuses as they occur.
Alderete Gavito said, so the City can respond, document incidents, and connect residents to appropriate resources.
How Violations Should Be Reported
Alderete Gavito is asking residents, or those reporting on their behalf, to contact SAPD when civil rights violations occur. SAPD documents every call it receives, allowing the City to collect information that is currently handled independently by various organizations.
When requested, SAPD can generate a report and refer residents to the Office of the Inspector General for further review.
She said this process would give the City a clearer picture of what is happening on the ground and ensure violations are formally recorded.
Public Safety and Civil Rights
Alderete Gavito said public safety and civil rights are inseparable and that she will continue to stand firm on both.
