Jails, Justice & Public Safety
PUTTING POLITICS FIRST
When the person responsible for holding the Sheriff accountable chooses to accept excuses instead of demanding compliance with the law, public safety suffers — and District 2 residents pay the price.
The incumbent commissioner has failed to hold the Dallas County Sheriff accountable on immigration enforcement and public safety. Instead of requiring full compliance with the law, the incumbent has allowed excuses to replace accountability.
Failure to Fully Cooperate with Federal Immigration Authorities
The incumbent has not pushed for full participation in the 287(g) program, which would allow local law enforcement to work directly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and remove criminal illegal immigrants from Dallas County jails.
The Sheriff’s office has repeatedly claimed it lacks the resources to honor ICE detainers, even while continuing to receive significant budget increases from the county. The incumbent has not challenged these claims or required full compliance with state and federal law.
Source: Texas Tribune, May 13, 2026
Excuses Over Accountability
Rather than holding the Sheriff accountable for honoring ICE detainers, the incumbent has repeatedly accepted excuses while criminal illegal immigrants are released back into the community. This approach prioritizes political considerations over public safety and allows repeat offenders to remain on the streets.
In contrast, Barry Wernick took a clear public stance on the issue. In the Dallas Morning News 2026 Primary Voter Guide, he stated:
“But the sheriff’s office recently claimed it lacks the resources to assist federal
immigration authorities. No more excuses. Our policy should be to always
comply with the law and enforce it.”
The incumbent has chosen a different path — one that accepts excuses instead of demanding accountability.
Source: Dallas Morning News 2026 Primary Voter Guide – Dallas County Commissioner Precinct 2
Advising Residents Not to Open the Door to ICE
This pattern of prioritizing politics over enforcement continues.
In remarks to Richardson Democrats, the incumbent told the audience:
“If you’re in that community and ICE comes to you and knocks on the
door, don’t open it. Just don’t open the door. If they have a warrant,
they’re going to have to show you. Don’t open the door is the answer.”
Rather than demanding full cooperation with federal immigration authorities and the 287(g) program, he has both accepted the Sheriff’s claims of insufficient resources and actively discouraged compliance with ICE.
Public safety in District 2 suffers when political considerations outweigh the clear enforcement of the law.
Source: Commissioner speaking to Richardson Area Democrats, October 28, 2025 – ICE Advice clip (YouTube)
Opposed Public-Safety and Accountability Measures
The incumbent joined the entire five-member Dallas County Commissioners Court in publicly opposing the HERO amendments (Propositions S, T, and U). These citizen-driven measures sought to require a minimum of 4,000 police officers, direct additional revenue toward police and fire pensions and competitive officer pay and give residents greater ability to hold city government accountable.
The opposition was part of a broader, well-funded establishment effort. Two political action committees raised more than $1 million and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a coordinated campaign against the measures, backed by current and former elected officials, city leaders, and major business interests.
Rather than supporting stronger police staffing commitments or increased accountability, the incumbent sided with the political establishment against these public-safety and accountability reforms.
Source: Dallas Morning News, October 31, 2024 – “Two PACs are raising money to fight Dallas Hero. Here’s how much”
The Impact on District 2
These failures have real consequences for public safety in District 2. When the Sheriff refuses to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, repeat offenders who should be held for ICE detainers are too often released back into the community. District 2 residents are left to deal with the results while the incumbent continues to defend the current approach.
Attorney General Ken Paxton has publicly stated that the Dallas County Sheriff is violating state law by refusing to pursue the required 287(g) agreement with ICE. Despite this, the incumbent has not pushed the Sheriff to comply.
Source: Texas Scorecard May 13, 2026
