Just days after a [blue tsunami overtook Texas' political landscape,](https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-turning-blue-democrats-win-22511567.php) Mayor John Whitmire is already prepared to bring changes to Houston, starting with an executive order[ limiting HPD's contact with immigration law enforcemen](https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/ice-harris-county-sheriff-ed-gonzalez-22501496.php)t.

During a surprise news conference Friday, Whitmire announced the order with HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz, saying HPD will change how officers cooperate with ICE under SB 4.

"ICE will only be contacted if someone commits a jailable offense," Diaz said.

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Whitmire said the election results give Houston more room to change its policies while maintaining his commitment to public safety.

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And while Republicans still control the Legislature for another couple of months, Whitmire made clear he intends to push back.

"I will take the responsibility even with the current administration in office for the next two months," Whitmire said. 

The move comes after several incidents involving ICE in Houston, including one man who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a traffic stop and another[ man who was hospitalized after being struck by an ICE vehicle.](https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/ice-agent-indicted-houston-bodycam-video-22503282.php) Still, Whitmire pointed to Houston's relative lack of turmoil compared with other cities where the National Guard has been deployed.

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"I will take that responsibility," Whitmire said when asked how he'd respond to [federal pushback](https://www.chron.com/politics/article/trump-abbott-texas-governor-rino-22510840.php). "I am doing what's in Houston's best interest...I understand there's risk...I wouldn't be surprised if I get some calls."