ICE in Austin: Greg Casar, community leaders speak out after recent enforcement activity

AUSTIN, Texas - Democrats are warning the public about an increase in ICE activity in Austin, while Republicans continue to defend the federal Immigration enforcement effort.

The backstory:

Community leaders came together on Friday in the Rundberg neighborhood, raising concerns about recent ICE activity. They claim people are being detained regardless of citizenship status.

For many families, they stop by the Second Day Adventist Church for its free food distribution. But on Wednesday, community leaders say that routine was disrupted.

An eyewitness described ICE officers handcuffing Austinites in front of the church.

Congressman Greg Casar speaks against ICE

What they're saying:

Congressman Greg Casar spoke about the increase in ICE.

"My message today is simple. We have seen a significant increase in ICE activity here in Austin. Trump's ICE is here in Austin," said Greg Casar.

"Volunteers get together at this church to help a community where people pull one or two jobs just to make ends meet and sometimes come to church to pick up a little bit of food or to donate their extra food to their neighbors. And ice was here between a church and an elementary school, not to make us more safe, but to separate families," said Casar. 

According to Congressman Greg Casar, ICE arrests have increased three to four times the usual number in the last few days. He says the increase is happening in several areas, including North Central Austin, South Austin and Southeast Austin.

"They're not going after criminals. If they're trying to patrol working-class neighborhoods, retirement communities, and this stretch of road between two elementary schools, a food bank, and a church," said Casar.

Congressman Casar says his office has submitted a formal inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security on the ICE activity.

FOX 7 reached out to ICE and DHS for comment. ICE says it's looking into our request. 

The other side:

A DHS spokesperson provided a statement to FOX 7 Austin, saying:

"Every day DHS enforces federal immigration laws—a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause—across the country in cities like Austin whether pro-criminal illegal alien politicians like it or not. ICE will not be slowing down.

"On August 13, 2026, ICE arrested Juan Alvarado-Olmedo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, with the assistance of local law enforcement. Alvarado-Olmedo’s criminal history includes DUIs, assault, contempt of court, larceny, and damage to private property as well as illegal entry and illegal re-entry—a felony. He will remain in ICE custody pending his removal.

"On Aug. 13, 2026, ICE arrested Luis Garcia Fernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, following his release from the Travis County Jail. He had completed approximately five months of incarceration related to a felony sexual assault offense. He will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.

"Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.

"Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. Our message is clear: if you come into our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you."

Editor's note: The statement above is published in its entirety with original emphasis by DHS.

Local perspective:

A local teacher shared his own experience working with families who have been detained.

"This past summer, I've been working with several families who have had a loved one detained. These are not criminals. These are our brothers and sisters. These people, my people, my community, take care of children. They take care of their parents. They clean houses," said John David Saucedo, a local teacher.

Dig deeper:

Last month, in a statement on Truth Social, President Donald Trump praised federal agents working for ICE, saying they were "doing a great job, one that has to be done." He went on to say crime is way down in America.

"Our law enforcement professionals, God bless them, are arresting criminal illegal aliens across the country, including those convicted of the most heinous and violent crimes," said Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary.

Big picture view:

There have been growing questions about ICE traffic stops after two deadly shootings involving federal agents.

Last month, in Maine, a Colombian national was killed. And in Texas, a Mexican national was shot and killed.

The shootings prompted a brief nationwide pause in ICE traffic stops, which was quickly reversed by President Trump.

"They're law enforcement officers. They're not political actors. They wake up like our military and law enforcement every day," said Tim Miller, former ICE special agent.

ImmigrationNorth Austin