League City Police placed 15 immigration detainers in the first half of September, making the department the second-largest source of immigration holds in Galveston County.
Only the city of Galveston, with 16 holds, logged more during the Sept. 1–15 period, according to a Galveston County Daily News analysis of jail records. An immigration detainer is a request from ICE asking local law enforcement to hold someone for up to 48 hours so federal agents can take custody. Across the county, 42 detainers were placed in that two-week span. Kemah and Texas City each had three, San Leon had two and the remaining three were spread elsewhere.
The numbers reflect League City's participation in the federal 287(g) program, which allows trained local officers to enforce immigration law under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) supervision. As of November 2025, five League City Police officers had completed the 287(g) training, Click2Houston reported at the time.
The pattern is not new. In July, League City accounted for 19 of 86 immigration holds countywide, according to a separate Daily News review. Galveston and League City together generated about 64% of all holds that month. A Daily News review of jail records from January through early May found more than 200 arrests resulted in immigration detainers, many tied to traffic-related offenses.
Of the 42 people detained countywide in early September, 29 had no listed charges beyond the immigration hold itself. Five faced charges involving violent, sexual, theft or trespassing-related crimes, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Two had driving-while-intoxicated charges, and six had municipal holds or other charges.
Sept. 23 crash tied to ICE operation
On Sept. 23, an ICE operation assisted by Precinct 3 Constable Justin West ended in a crash near Doubloon Avenue and Carthagena Way in Galveston, according to The Daily News. West previously served as Precinct 4 constable.
ICE alleged that Wilian Antonio Dardon-Soto, 32, of Guatemala, tried to flee after agents activated emergency lights and sirens, sideswiped their vehicle and crashed into a tree about 10 a.m. Dardon-Soto had been deported in 2016 and re-entered the country illegally, according to an ICE spokesman. He was taken to a hospital for minor injuries. Galveston police said they did not assist with the initial arrest.
Robert Quintero, president of LULAC Council 151 in Galveston, told The Daily News he believed agents racially profiled Dardon-Soto. "They saw a man with brown skin driving a trailer with landscaping equipment. If we have brown skin, are we going to be targeted next?" Quintero said.
An ICE spokesman said in a statement that resisting arrest and fleeing law enforcement endangers the community.
County funding and enforcement scope
Galveston County commissioners in June approved applications for $180,000 in state and federal funding for immigration enforcement. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office sought a $100,000 state grant tied to its 287(g) partnership and an estimated $80,000 federal reimbursement for jail costs. Neither grant required a county match.
Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen told Click2Houston in November 2025 that deputies trained under 287(g) can check immigration status during routine encounters without waiting for ICE agents to respond.
No statement from League City Police Chief Cliff Woitena or department spokesperson José Ortega about the September detention figures appeared in published reporting as of Sept. 30.
