‘Welcome, no questions asked’: Mayor Whitmire denies rumors of ICE officials patrolling Houston warming centers

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor John Whitmire forcefully denied rumors that federal immigration agents have been monitoring warming centers across Houston.

The mayor called the allegations “mean-spirited” and urged Houston-area residents not to let misinformation keep them from seeking shelter.

The clarification comes as Southeast Texas deals with temperatures officials have called “life-threatening.”

“Let me emphasize that—not only this shelter, each warming center is open to every resident of Houston, Texas,” Whitmire said Monday. “There were some disruptors that had spread word that ICE was monitoring these centers. There is absolutely zero evidence of that.”

LIST: Houston closures, delayed openings for Monday due to winter weather

Whitmire stressed that every person who shows up to a warming center will be welcomed in, “no questions asked.”

He added that warming centers that have reached capacity have also transported citizens in need to other locations, specifically mentioning the Denver Harbor and Fifth Ward centers as places that have handled overflow.

“Even if we’re at capacity, we take care of you,” Whitmire said. “And we sure as heck don’t ask you who you are or where you’re coming from. We don’t care.”

Harris County Pct. 4 Commissioner Leslie Briones, who joined Mayor Whitmire at the press conference at Bayland Community Center, reiterated the mayor’s “no questions asked” approach about citizens seeking shelter, adding that Houstonians are also encouraged to bring their pets to the centers.

“If you have a crate, please bring it,” Commissioner Briones said.

ALSO: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis give winter weather updates during visit at warming center

OTHER DETAILS FROM THE PRESSER

Warming center updates and information

At 3 p.m. on Monday, the mayor joined Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones and Harris County Fire Marshal Chief Laurie L. Christensen at Bayland Community Center, which has been operating as a 24-hour warming shelter in partnership with the American Red Cross.

The facilities are providing warm shelter, hot meals, health care services and access to case workers as extreme cold continues across the region.

Whitmire thanked Briones and county staff for their coordination with the city, noting that collaboration is critical during emergencies.

“We realize we represent the same individuals, so we collaborate. We bring people together,” he said. “We want everyone to know that we are open 24-seven.”

“Some of these employees have slept on the floor to make sure Houstonians are helped,” he said. “I was here yesterday, I’m here today, and I’m seeing dedicated employees. It’s really why we run for office.”

How Houston is moving forward as the freeze continues

The mayor said the city will conduct a formal assessment at noon Tuesday to determine how long warming centers should remain open.

Officials are also monitoring water pressure issues and preparing for another round of winter weather expected next weekend.

Briones added that the centers are in close communication about their various capacities to make sure that citizens are adequately distributed across the centers. She said there are currently around 80 available beds at the Bayland center where the presser took place.

As Houston remains under an extreme cold warning through Tuesday, Whitmire praised city employees—particularly water department crews—who are working extended hours to prevent pipe failures and maintain service.

Whitmire thanked residents for staying off the roads during the freeze, saying fewer drivers helped limit wrecks across the city.

He also urged Houstonians to take precautions as overnight temperatures drop further, warning that the cold could be deadly.

“Tonight, will be very, very severe, life-threatening temperatures,” Whitmire said. “Look out for your pipes. Pipes don’t freeze—it’s the water that freezes in them.”

READ MORE: How to check if your pipes are frozen and what to do immediately

Residents are encouraged to drain or drip pipes, bring pets indoors and use available warming centers as long as the dangerous cold persists.