D7 Calls for System to Document U.S. ICE Civil Rights Violations
Published on January 23, 2026
Councilmember Calls for System to Document U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Civil Rights Violations
Councilmember states that San Antonio must be ready.
SAN ANTONIO (January 23, 2026) – District 7 Councilmember Marina Alderete Gavito is calling for the City of San Antonio to develop a clear, city-run process for residents to report civil rights violations committed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), beginning with directing residents to report incidents to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD).
Councilmember Alderete Gavito issued the following statement.
“A recently reported ICE memo obtained by the Associated Press states that ICE agents may enter private property without first obtaining a warrant from a federal judge. Such actions clearly violate the Fourth Amendment, which requires an unbiased magistrate to determine probable cause.
“Residents must have a real way to report violations of their constitutional rights. Right now, reports are scattered across different organizations and risk going into a black hole. We need this information centralized, tracked, and managed by the City of San Antonio so we can determine the scope and potentially act.
“I am calling for residents, or those reporting on their behalf, to contact SAPD when civil rights violations occur. Because SAPD documents every call it receives, this would allow the City to systematically collect data currently handled independently by various groups. Once contacted, SAPD will create a record of the call and, when requested, write a report. SAPD can also direct the resident to the Office of the Inspector General by providing appropriate contact information.
“The need for documentation is urgent. There are countless documented cases of United States citizens being racially profiled. No one should ever be stopped unlawfully because of the color of their skin.
“Compounding the issue, the Department of Homeland Security shares minimal information with local governments and does not provide city-specific data, only regional summaries – leaving cities unprepared to respond.
“We need this data to equip the city for what comes next. We need to be ready to help residents protect their rights, and the integrity of our community.”