I grew up in an immigrant household. My parents worked hard to build a life in this country, and I watched them do it with dignity, with purpose, and with a sense of pride.
But because of their sacrifice, their courage to uproot everything familiar in search of something better, I get to be here. I now have the privilege of representing one of the most diverse, working-class, immigrant-rich communities in this city.
So, when federal agents target our neighborhoods, our schools, and our places of worship without regard for basic human dignity, it becomes personal.
And I know I’m not alone in that.
A few weeks ago, hundreds of Austinites packed an elementary school gym and delivered a clear message to city leaders: Austin must do more to protect its people. They are scared. They are angry. And most importantly, they have a point.
I took that to heart. Because when your community shows up like that, you owe them “the work.”
Shortly after, I joined colleagues and fellow Council members José Velásquez, José “Chito” Vela, Ryan Alter, and Zohaib “Zo” Qadri in submitting an action plan to City Manager T.C. Broadnax, created in lockstep with Austin’s immigrant families and the organizations fighting for them every day.
The plan is straightforward, and is built on five pillars of dignity and accountability:
- Defend the First Amendment. When federal agents surge into our city, Austin’s public safety agencies should prioritize de-escalation protocols to protect peaceful protesters.
- Defend the Fourth Amendment. Warrantless entry should have consequences. Local police must be equipped to respond quickly and decisively to any Fourth Amendment violations. Residents should also be able to report violations directly though the city’s online I-Report system.
- Hold federal agents accountable. Any violence or misconduct by federal officials must get investigated and referred to the district attorney. And if there’s body camera footage, it should get released.
- End secret policing. If you are arresting someone in our city, you don’t get to hide your face. So we’re calling for a ban on masked law enforcement while exercising police powers in Austin.
- Empower the People. Expand Know Your Rights training and increase funding for immigrant legal defense, because an informed community is a safer community.
Some might argue cities shouldn’t involve themselves in federal enforcement. But protecting the people we serve is our duty. In fact, keeping the people we serve safe should be the top priority of any elected official. When immigrant families are afraid to call 911, crime goes unreported. Witnesses stay silent. Everyone becomes less safe. You cannot keep people safe if half the community is too afraid to ask for help.
The federal government may control immigration policy. But Austin controls how our police respond to incidents in our city, what information we provide to residents, and whether we investigate civil rights violations. These are local decisions with profound consequences.
While the threat of preemption is real, and while the state of Texas has made it clear it would rather play politics than protect people – they cannot preempt our values, and they cannot preempt the trust we have built and have a duty to safeguard with this community.
Every person in Austin, regardless of where they were born, deserves to live without fear. To know their rights. To be supported by officers who can be identified and held accountable.
Austin’s character is tested in moments like these. So let’s show that Austin stands with all our neighbors.
Vanessa Fuentes represents District 2 on the Austin City Council. She, along with Council members José “Chito” Vela, José Velásquez, Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, and Ryan Alter submitted a Protecting the People of Austin from Unconstitutional and Violent Federal Operation memorandum on March 13, 2026, to City Manager T.C. Broadnax.
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This article appears in March 20 • 2026.