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Brown previously signaled opposition to the requirement months before the law even became active. According to Paxton’s office, the Dallas County sheriff stated in October 2025 that her department would make “no additional efforts” to secure the agreement with ICE.
That statement is now being used as evidence in Paxton’s investigation.
The attorney general gave Brown until June 1 to provide documented proof that Dallas County is actively pursuing compliance.
“If efforts are not undertaken and reported before Monday, June 1, 2026, I will consider that failure as confirmation of your refusal to comply,” Paxton warned.
He also promised to use “every tool available” to force compliance and said Brown could be “personally held accountable” if her office continues resisting the law.
Brown, however, is refusing to back down quietly.
In a response obtained by local media, the sheriff argued that SB 8 does not require immediate completion of a 287(g) agreement and claimed counties technically have until December 1, 2026, to satisfy the law’s requirements.
She further insisted Dallas County already coordinates with federal authorities and suggested existing procedures may already fulfill the law’s intent.
But Paxton’s office argues that explanation misses the point entirely.
State officials say SB 8 requires sheriffs to actively demonstrate they are attempting to secure agreements with ICE, not simply argue that existing policies are good enough. According to the attorney general, Dallas County has failed to provide evidence of meaningful action while other major Texas counties have already moved forward.
Officials in Harris County, Bexar County, and El Paso County have reportedly either finalized agreements or entered serious negotiations with ICE. Dallas County remains one of the most visible holdouts.
The battle comes as Texas ramps up pressure statewide against local governments accused of obstructing immigration enforcement.
Just weeks ago, Paxton sued John Whitmire and the Houston City Council after city leaders approved an ordinance limiting cooperation with ICE administrative warrants. Governor Greg Abbott responded by threatening to withhold more than $100 million in public safety funding.
Houston officials quickly reversed course.
Now the spotlight has shifted directly onto Dallas County.
Critics of Brown say the consequences of weak immigration enforcement are no longer theoretical.
Authorities allege the suspects involved in the May 3 shooting included Nicaraguan national Keyner Ariel Calero-Jiron and a 17-year-old accomplice. ICE reportedly requested that Dallas officials hold the suspects after the attack, which also involved a police chase, a vehicle crash, narcotics, and illegal firearms.
Federal officials also recently requested cooperation in detaining Mexican national Luis Benitez-Gonzalez after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to two separate Texas murders years apart.
For supporters of tougher immigration enforcement, those cases have become rallying cries.
They argue Dallas County’s resistance to working closely with ICE allows dangerous criminals to remain on the streets longer and puts innocent Texans at risk.
Paxton made his position unmistakably clear.
“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.”
With June 1 rapidly approaching, the confrontation between Austin and Dallas is shaping up to become one of the biggest immigration enforcement battles Texas has seen since the state declared war on sanctuary policies years ago.
