On Monday, the Texas House Subcommittee on County & Regional Government heard testimony on House Bill 5580, a proposal that could fundamentally reshape local law enforcement in Texas—and reignite legal battles over immigration and civil rights.
The bill, authored by Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian), would mandate that sheriffs in counties with 100,000 or more residents enter into 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These agreements effectively deputize local law enforcement to act as federal immigration agents.
Smaller counties wouldn’t be off the hook: HB 5580 incentivizes them to follow suit by offering new state grants to fund participation.
“HB 5580 is a reckless attempt to turn sheriffs into federal agents,” said David Sánchez, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Texas Civil Rights Project. “It does not make Texas safer—it makes it more fearful, more litigious, and more divided.”
The Texas Civil Rights Project, which testified against the bill during Monday’s hearing, emphasized the legal and ethical concerns posed by the proposal:
- Federal Overreach: 287(g) agreements are voluntary under federal law. HB 5580 would override that autonomy, potentially violating federal statutes.
- Blank Check to ICE: The bill would force sheriffs to accept ICE’s terms “as offered,” giving the federal agency unchecked power over local law enforcement operations.
- Civil Rights Violations: Studies have linked 287(g) agreements to racial profiling, due process violations, and unlawful detentions.
- Fiscal Risks: Counties that participate have faced costly lawsuits over wrongful detentions and abuses in local jails. Without adequate training, the liabilities could soar.
“Local law enforcement knows best how to keep their communities safe,” said Danny Woodward, Policy Attorney at TCRP. “Passage of this bill would send a clear message to Texans: the legislature does not trust our sheriffs.”
Lawmakers supporting the bill claim it’s necessary to “standardize” cooperation between local and federal agencies and prevent “sanctuary counties” from undermining immigration enforcement.
But opponents argue HB 5580 does the opposite—it strips local governments of discretion and invites costly litigation.
The bill’s companion, Senate Bill 8, has already advanced in the Senate and is likely to receive renewed attention if HB 5580 progresses.
“We’ve seen this playbook before,” said Sánchez. “Politicians fueling fear to score points with their base, while communities pay the price—in dollars, in trust, and in lives.”
Civil rights advocates have urged lawmakers to reject both bills and instead support community-based safety initiatives that foster trust between residents and law enforcement.
The subcommittee has not yet taken a vote on HB 5580, but several members indicated more hearings are likely.
