San Antonio Leaders Address Immigration Concerns at Town Hall

Local officials and religious leaders in San Antonio hosted a town hall to address community fears regarding immigration amid heightened activities by ICE under the Trump administration. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Sheriff Javier Salazar reassured residents that undocumented individuals have rights, particularly if they are victims or witnesses to crimes, and emphasized that local law enforcement will not actively assist ICE in raids. Salazar clarified that while ICE will focus on individuals with warrants, the agency does not intend to conduct indiscriminate raids in schools or churches. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller also highlighted the need for a just immigration process, calling for mercy and justice. The discussions came in response to growing anxieties about mass deportations and the impact on the local immigrant population. The town hall aimed to inform the community about their rights and available resources to alleviate fears amidst ongoing federal immigration policy changes.