Ingram police handed more than 100 residents to ICE in under a year

Ingram, a town of 1,900 people in Texas, has handed more than 100 residents over to federal immigration agents in less than a year. The figure represents 10% of the town’s total population. This surge follows a local police department signing a 287(g) agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to work alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The shift began in late 2025 when Officer Jaron Alexander proposed the idea to the chief of police. The deal promised federal funds to support the town’s small police force, which consists of only two officers. After the agreement was signed, the officers increased their presence on the streets. Ingram is located along a busy highway where thousands of vehicles pass daily.

The new enforcement strategy led to a sharp rise in traffic stops. In just 20 days, officers made 162 stops. By two months, the total number of vehicle interventions exceeded the entire previous year. A ProPublica investigation found that by August 2026, the town had recorded 194 immigration-related incidents.

Two arrests drew particular attention from the community. On December 28, 2025, Officer Alexander stopped Ulises Macías on the highway. He left Macías’s partner and a two-week-old baby at the scene. Another high-profile arrest involved Cinthya Carranza, a single mother and asylum seeker. She was detained at a car wash while driving her children to school.

Officer Alexander said in a recent interview that he felt remorse for separating families, even though he believed the stops were part of his duty. Katie Winer, a spokesperson for the migrant rights group Will Country Resistance, said the operations are disrupting daily life. She noted that many citizens who are Hispanic or Latino are being harassed and stopped.

Residents report changing their routines to avoid encounters with police. Construction workers are adding at least 90 minutes to their commutes to avoid a stretch of Judson Highway where agents are stationed. Local businesses are also feeling the pressure. Cristina, who owns a restaurant, said she has lost customers who were regulars since she opened. She said many people are too afraid to come out or have left the area entirely.