The City of Keller formally partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a contentious city council meeting Tuesday night.
Dozens of members of the public came out to oppose the measure, but the council voted unanimously to make Keller part of.
The partnership is designed to bring new federal immigration enforcement resources to Keller police, including specialized training in screening arrestees for immigration infractions.
The move to join the program was first introduced last month by Keller Mayor Armin Mizani.
Mizani called opting into the partnership 鈥渁 common sense thing鈥� and expects improvements to public safety in Keller and the surrounding communities.
鈥淚've had elected officials already reach out and say, 鈥榃e're looking at what you're doing and we want to implement the same,鈥� 鈥� Mizani said. 鈥淎nd my hope, my anticipation, is that that will happen.鈥�
Despite the jeers that followed some of his remarks, Mizani said he expects most Keller voters will approve of the decision.
But protesters pointed to Mizani鈥檚 campaign for statewide office as a motivation to push for approval of this program. The mayor is recently vacated by Giovanni Capriglione, although he had his sights set on a state senate seat earlier this year.
Keller resident Zane Kupper questioned during public comment the reasoning for this decision by the city council.
鈥淚f this doesn't really change the status quo of what we're already doing, why even engage in it? Does it have anything to do with certain individuals' political aspirations and making sure that they kiss the right rings to jump to higher office?鈥� Kupper said.
In a statement, the Keller Police Department said opting into the program will result in 鈥渕inor adjustments鈥� to detention officers鈥� responsibilities.
This story has been updated to include the correct spelling of the name Zane Kupper.
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