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Community & Policy

ICE Activity in Austin / Central Texas

Austin and the surrounding Central Texas counties—Travis, Williamson, and Hays—have experienced a sharp escalation in ICE enforcement since January 2026. From APD changing its general orders on ICE cooperation to student walkouts and thousands rallying in East Austin, the region is navigating a new landscape of federal-local enforcement dynamics.

Full Detailed Report Available

For the full Jan 10–Feb 10 timeline with 34+ sourced incidents, see our original report: ICE Activity Within a 2-Hour Radius of Austin, TX.

Report ICE Activity in Central Texas

If you witness or experience ICE enforcement, submit an anonymous report. See our Know Your Rights guide.

Overview

Austin and Central Texas have become a focal point of the federal immigration enforcement surge that began in January 2026. The Austin Police Department reversed years of policy by issuing new general orders allowing officers to cooperate with ICE warrant operations. Travis County, long considered a “sanctuary” jurisdiction, now faces a mandate under SB 8 to enter a 287(g) agreement with ICE by December 2026. Meanwhile, Williamson County to the north has already been cooperating with federal authorities.

The community response has been immediate and large-scale: thousands of students walked out across Austin ISD, thousands more rallied in East Austin alongside Texas Democrats, and immigration rights organizations mobilized rapid-response networks across the metro area. The Western District of Texas—which covers Austin—saw over 240 new immigration cases filed in the first week of February 2026 alone.[6]

Key Incidents (January–February 2026)

The following summarizes the most significant incidents in the Austin area. For the full chronological timeline with all 34+ sourced incidents across the Central Texas region, see the original ATX report.[1]

January 5: Deportation After 911 Call

Karen Gutiérrez-Castellanos was deported along with her 5-year-old US citizen child after calling 911 for help. The case drew national attention as an example of how enforcement can deter immigrant communities from contacting emergency services.

January 12–13: ICE Chase on SH 130

An ICE vehicle pursuit along State Highway 130 resulted in confusion between ICE agents and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. The incident raised questions about coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents operating in the area.

January 14: APD Policy Change

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis announced new general orders allowing APD officers to cooperate with ICE warrant operations. Under the revised policy, officers encountering an ICE warrant must notify their duty commander before acting. This marked a significant departure from Austin’s previous approach of limiting local-federal immigration cooperation.[7]

January 18: ICE Activity on SH 195, Williamson County

ICE agents were reported operating along State Highway 195 in Williamson County. Unlike Travis County, Williamson County has been cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, and the sighting was consistent with that posture.[5]

Late January: Wrongful Deportation of Austin Teen

An Austin teenager was wrongfully deported by the Trump administration. The government subsequently issued an apology for the error. The case was widely covered and became a rallying point for local immigration advocates.[4]

January 30: Student Walkouts and East Austin Rally

Thousands of Austin-area students walked out of classes to protest ICE operations, joining walkouts across Texas and the nation. The same day, thousands rallied in East Austin in an event led by Texas Democrats including Rep. Greg Casar and Rep. James Talarico, as part of the national “shutdown” protests against mass deportations.[2][3]

February 2026: 240+ New Immigration Cases

The DOJ’s Western District of Texas reported over 240 new immigration cases filed in the first week of February alone, a dramatic surge reflecting the increased enforcement pace across the district, which includes Austin, San Antonio, and surrounding areas.[6]

Policy Context

Central Texas is navigating a complex and shifting policy landscape that varies county by county:

  • Austin Police Department: Under Chief Lisa Davis, APD issued new general orders in January 2026 allowing officers to cooperate with ICE warrants. Officers must notify a duty commander before assisting. This reversed Austin’s long-standing practice of limiting ICE cooperation.[7]
  • Travis County: Under SB 8, the Travis County Sheriff is required to enter a 287(g) agreement with ICE by December 2026. Travis County has historically resisted such cooperation, and the mandate represents a significant policy shift imposed by the state legislature.[7]
  • Williamson County: Already cooperating with ICE enforcement. The county has not resisted federal enforcement operations and has been a site of ICE activity along highway corridors.
  • Hays County: SB 8 compliance is pending. The county has not yet entered a 287(g) agreement but is subject to the same December 2026 deadline as Travis County.
SB 8 requires every Texas sheriff to enter a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Counties that previously limited cooperation—including Travis—are now on a state-mandated timeline to participate in federal immigration enforcement.

Community Response

East Austin Rally

Thousands gathered in East Austin on January 30 for one of the largest immigration-related rallies in the city’s history. The event was led by Texas Democrats including Rep. Greg Casar and Rep. James Talarico, and featured speakers from immigrant families, faith leaders, and community organizations. The rally was part of a national day of protest against mass deportation policies.[3]

Student Walkouts

Students across Austin ISD walked out of classes on January 30, joining a statewide and national movement. Walkouts were triggered in part by the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Texas AG Paxton launched investigations into school districts that allowed walkouts to proceed.[2]

Immigration Rights Organizing

Austin immigration rights groups joined national protests and mobilized rapid-response networks. Legal aid organizations reported surges in requests for consultations and Know Your Rights trainings. Community organizations established ICE sighting alert systems across the metro area.

Ongoing Coverage

This page will be updated as new incidents are reported in the Austin/Central Texas area. For the most comprehensive incident-by-incident timeline, continue to reference the original ATX report, which covers the Jan 10–Feb 10 period in detail with 34+ sourced incidents.

Return to the Texas statewide tracker for regional coverage across DFW, Houston, San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, and El Paso. Visit the national ICE Activity Tracker for coverage beyond Texas.

Sources

  1. justNICE original report: ICE Activity Within a 2-Hour Radius of Austin, TX (Jan 10–Feb 10, 2026) ↑
  2. Texas Tribune: Texas students walk out of school in protest of ICE ↑
  3. KUT: East Austin rally draws thousands in protest of ICE operations ↑
  4. CBS Austin: Trump administration apologizes for wrongful deportation of Austin teen ↑
  5. ICE activity on SH 195, Williamson County (referenced in original ATX report) ↑
  6. DOJ: First week of February brings over 240 new immigration cases to Western District of Texas ↑
  7. Texas Tribune: What to know about ICE arrests and raids in Texas ↑