“We’re going to take the handcuffs off ICE and let them go arrest criminal aliens. That’s what’s gonna happen“. — Trump administration “border czar” Tom Homan
Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted enforcement operations in the Austin area on Sunday.
Federal officials, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, conducted what they said were “enhanced targeted operations” in Austin on Sunday — an effort that Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said they told her was to arrest “wanted violent offenders.”
Austin police played no role in the operations.
Officials did not say what kind of offenses the targeted individuals were suspected of committing or whether anyone was detained.
Schools, churches, and hospitals are on edge. (Fox7 Austin)
“Everyone’s nervous. I think what makes us most nervous is we don’t know what steps the full deportation plan has in it.” — American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall on what the raids could mean for Texas farmers
Following President Trump’s inauguration for his second term, operations related to immigration enforcement began less than a week later. He introduced several executive orders, including one that halts the use of an app for asylum requests and allows immigration raids at sensitive locations like schools and hospitals. Additionally, the administration has urged federal officials to investigate local authorities who impede deportation efforts, with some Texas officials expressing readiness to help, although details on their cooperation remain vague. Texas lawmakers are seeking guidance on how schools should respond to federal immigration actions.
Protestors gathered at the Texas Capitol Sunday afternoon after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations were conducted in Austin.
Protests were held in Dallas as well.
Governor Greg Abbott announced Sunday that Texas Department of Public Safety operations are expected to “expand in coming days” as part of immigration enforcement efforts.
ICE agents arrested dozens of individuals in several cities, including Dallas, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth, Garland and Collin County, according to the ICE spokesperson. (Texas Public Radio)
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Department says so far they have not been involved in any enforcement operations.
Immigrant rights advocacy groups and legal experts say the Trump administration’s threat to prosecute local officials has no legal backing and is simply an attempt to intimidate local jurisdictions into helping with the mass deportations Trump promised during his presidential campaign. (KXAN-TV)
Can ICE now raid churches, schools and hospitals? (KVUE-TV)
Austin residents face uncertainty as the DACA program comes under threat. (CBS Austin)
Advocates urge immigrants in Austin to plan – but not panic – over new Trump orders. (KUT 90.5)
One person is dead after an auto-pedestrian crash Sunday night in north Austin in the 10200 block of North Lamar Boulevard. The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. (KXAN-TV)
Austin firefighters responded to what they originally thought was a structure fire at an abandoned bank in East Austin but turned out to be a water leak.
A dumpster fire at an undisclosed apartment complex overnight had the AFD busy.
Some South Austin residents were ordered to shelter in place Sunday after SWAT was called out to a situation that eventually ended peacefully and with a suspect in custody.
It happened just before 6:00 a.m. in the 2600 block of Gwendolyn Lane, which is south of Slaughter Lane. (KXAN-TV)
Nearly 600 volunteers took part in the Point-in-Time Count of Austin’s homeless population Sunday.
A hearing is scheduled for this morning for a Texas man accused of killing six people in a December 2023 shooting spree that stretched from San Antonio to Austin.
Shane James is accused of fatally shooting four people in Austin. (CBS Austin)
Travis County Court-at-Law Judge Carlos Barrera said he will announce Tuesday whether he will dismiss a deadly conduct charge against Daniel Perry, who was pardoned by Gov. Greg Abbott after Perry was convicted of murder in the shooting death of a protester in Austin. (Austin American-Statesman)
The owner of a Michelin-starred East Austin restaurant praised by several celebrities, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is facing felony charges for an alleged insurance fraud scheme. (Lonestar Live)
City officials expect to move forward with $146 million in construction projects on major vehicle corridors in 2025, with improvements to Burnet Road and Slaughter Lane expected to go to bid as the next steps using funding from the 2016 mobility bond package. Other efforts planned to move forward include bike and pedestrian improvements along key corridors like Airport Boulevard, Burnet Road and North Lamar Boulevard. (Austin Monitor)
As “transformative” work begins along I-35 in central Austin, a local transportation organization has announced a program providing financial assistance for impacted businesses. (Community Impact)
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Fort Worth ISD is investigating a social media post from a teacher’s account calling on ICE to visit a local high school.
Texas Republicans are filing bills which aim to claw back vaccine requirements. There is even a House joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Texas Constitution that would preserve Texans’ right to refuse a vaccination. (Texas Tribune)
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says that the state’s cattle herds and poultry flocks currently don’t have any reported bird flu cases. (KXAN-TV)
Todd Smith — who last year pleaded guilty to felony bribery charges — is now the chief of staff for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller after the commissioner rehired his longtime aide last week. (Austin American-Statesman via MSN)
SILVER ALERT: The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 77-year-old Richard Hester, diagnosed with a cognitive impairment. He’s been missing in the College Station area since early Sunday. (Fox7 Austin)
A Lubbock man was arrested and accused of possessing at least 500 files that showed child sexual abuse material.
PODCAST: This week’s edition of “Lone Star Politics” produced by NBC Dallas/Fort Worth.
SPORTS
NFL: It will be a rematch of Super Bowl LVII when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on February 9.
Three former Texas Longhorns will play in New Orleans.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Madison Booker in her homecoming to Mississippi sank a jumper with 26 seconds left to lift Texas to a 61-58 victory over RV/RV Ole Miss on Sunday. (Texas Longhorns)
NBA: The Mavericks, Spurs and Rockets all had the day off Sunday.
Tonight, Houston is at Boston and Dallas hosts Washington. San Antonio is idle. (Yahoo! Sports)
A new episode from the Texas Country Reporter.
We go to Spicewood and discover how a Texas artist’s life was changed forever.
