Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has sent a letter to Sheriff Marian Brown demanding that the Dallas County Sheriff's Office pursue a formal cooperation agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of the state's enforcement of Senate Bill 8.
SB 8, which took effect on January 1, 2026, requires sheriffs in counties operating jails to enter into formal 287 (g) agreements with ICE. These agreements authorize local officers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions related to the investigation, apprehension, and detention of individuals in the country illegally.
According to Paxton's office, Sheriff Brown previously stated after the bill's passage that "no additional efforts" would be made to establish such an agreement. The attorney general's office says Dallas County has not reported any attempts to formalize a partnership with ICE since the law took effect.
"I will not allow the people of Dallas County to suffer because the Sheriff refuses to work with ICE to keep violent illegals off our streets," said Paxton. "Texas law requires that sheriffs seek a formal agreement with ICE to help stop illegal immigration."
BREAKING: I'm investigating the Dallas County Sheriff for sanctuary policies and demanding that the Sheriff comply with Texas law by seeking an agreement to assist ICE in enforcing federal immigration law. pic.twitter.com/gnUkBCmhlY
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 13, 2026
Paxton has directed Sheriff Brown to request and enter into a 287 (g) agreement with ICE and provide a response to the Office of the Attorney General before June 1, 2026.
"My office will ensure that the Dallas County Sheriff complies with the law and that ICE is assisted to the fullest extent possible under the law," said Paxton.
The attorney general's office also stated that sheriffs in El Paso, Bexar, and Harris counties have either finalized agreements with ICE or are currently negotiating them. Paxton said his office will continue using "every tool available" to enforce compliance with SB 8 statewide.
The dispute between Paxton and Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown underscores the growing legal and political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Texas as state officials push for expanded local cooperation with ICE under SB 8.
