Texas law enforcement, including state police and local officers, conducted an immigration enforcement operation in a predominantly Latino community near Houston on Monday. Governor Greg Abbott announced the operation was focused on Colony Ridge, a cluster of unincorporated subdivisions northeast of the city. Colony Ridge has become a target for conservative media and activists, who have made unfounded claims that the area is a haven for illegal immigrants and controlled by cartels.
In a post on social media, Abbott confirmed that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and special agents were working with Homeland Security Investigations to target criminals and undocumented immigrants in the housing development. He also mentioned collaborating with Tom Homan, former Border Czar under President Donald Trump, for months on this operation.
NBC News requested details from Texas DPS about the number of arrests or detentions made and whether the actions were specifically immigration-related. However, the request was referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has not yet responded.
Meanwhile, members of FIEL Houston, an immigrant-led civil rights organization, streamed live video on Facebook warning residents not to open their doors or speak to authorities if detained. The group reported the presence of Texas DPS vehicles, unmarked cars, and Liberty County sheriff’s vehicles in the area.
“¡No firme nada! Don’t sign anything! No hables!” one of the FIEL members shouted out the window during the broadcast, urging residents to remain silent and cautious if approached by law enforcement.
Alain Cisneros, a spokesman for FIEL Houston, told NBC News that the operation included roadblocks, and DPS vehicles were pulling people over throughout the area. Many of the drivers being stopped were construction workers on their way to work, he said. Some trucks, with workers on board, were detained.
Cisneros also noted that local schools appeared to be blocked off, although no reports of children being detained had been confirmed by FIEL members.
In 2023, right-wing media outlets and conservative figures labeled Colony Ridge a “no-go zone” for law enforcement, claiming it was a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants and a hub for criminal activity. However, local law enforcement officials disputed these allegations.
Governor Abbott has been leading the multibillion-dollar immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Lone Star, which uses Texas DPS troopers to target trespassing and illegal entry. Abbott has sought reimbursement from the federal government for the $11 billion Texas has spent on the initiative.
The developer of Colony Ridge has faced legal action from the Justice Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under the Biden administration. The lawsuit accused the developer of exploiting Hispanic residents with predatory loans and subpar housing. The developer has denied the allegations, asserting that the loans were provided to individuals who otherwise could not obtain financing.
Related topics:
