Joaquin Martinez, City Council District I
As the son of an immigrant and representative of the City Council district home to Houston’s largest Hispanic population, I want to speak directly to our immigrant community, and especially our undocumented friends and neighbors, during this time of heightened concern around federal immigration enforcement.
Does he mean that his father or mother was not born here in the United States, or does it mean more that his parents came here without proper authorization? It suggests that Joaquin Martinez was probably born here, as he did not list himself as an immigrant.
I am not here to praise, Martinez, as I don’t believe that he is helping the people who are here undocumented.
Things are bad here in Houston for those who fear ICE and the police, that is helping them.
I got a text that I was scheduled for a dental appointment, but I needed to find out the time and if my son was also included. I spent the morning calling and finally decided to drive there to find out why they weren’t answering the phone. It turns out that they closed for the day as all the appointments for today had been cancelled. ICE is picking up brown skinned people in this neck of the woods, and sensible people who could be harassed, detained, and sent to Siberia are doing the rational thing of not going to work or taking care of their health. Instead, they are staying at home, locking the doors, and not opening for anyone they don’t know.
Following Joaquin Martinez’s advice could result in deportation. Is Martinez, Whitemire, and HPD guaranteeing that anyone who reports a crime will not be deported? I don’t think so, as HPD has already shown us that calling in a car accident or one’s car catching on fire can get you deported.
HOUSTON — A woman whose car caught fire on her way to work says that instead of receiving help, Houston police detained her and told her she would be deported.
She said this happened despite her having no criminal record and being in the process of securing a visa as a crime victim.
Guadalupe Perdomo was driving along U.S. 59 near downtown Houston when she noticed smoke coming from her car. She was able to get out safely before the car went up in flames.
Want to help the immigrant community? Why not push for alarms when ICE is operating in certain areas in Houston? Martinez could start a whistle brigade, as one person from Chicago did.
What is Martinez advising?
Those of us with rights and protections of citizenship must also acknowledge the immense privilege and civic responsibility we bear in these times. Too often, privilege can blind us from the challenges others carry each day. Our responsibility is to build upon trust and to speak up for those who are vulnerable and cannot step out of the shadows without gambling their future.
If you have friends or family who are undocumented, stay connected and help them stay informed. Offer support where you can – whether that’s sharing reliable information, helping with daily errands or standing with them during uncertain times. If you see ICE activity, stay calm, stay safe and document responsibly. Our strength is in looking out for one another.
Above all, lean into your family and your neighbors — that’s where our true security begins. This time of uncertainty will pass, but we cannot allow ourselves to be used as political pawns. Our strength is, and always has been, in community.
You are wrong, Martinez. At the moment, the Houston Police Department is no friend to the undocumented community, and you should be warning them not to trust them, as people like you and Whitmire cannot be trusted to be transparent with the truth.
I am sure that a good percentage of HPD would use their discretion not to report people who are not here legally, but as Clint Eastwood said in Dirty Harris, “Are you feeling lucky?”
Mr. Martinez, aren’t you brown enough that you don’t have to get your nose browner?
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