Bastrop County Jail Logs 55 ICE Arrests in Q1

Records show detainees faced a range of local charges alongside immigration holds.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of an ICE detention van in motion, its shape fragmented and repeated in overlapping geometric patterns of bold, vibrant colors, conceptually representing the complex intersection of criminal justice and immigration enforcement.The data on ICE arrests in Bastrop County reflects the complex and often contentious relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.Elgin Today

More than 50 people with immigration detainers were booked into the Bastrop County Jail during the first three months of 2026, according to jail records. The most common offenses detainees are suspected of committing locally include driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance and driving without a license.

Why it matters

This data sheds light on the intersection of local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities in Bastrop County, a politically contentious issue that has sparked protests and debate around the role of police and jails in immigration enforcement.

The details

Records show the 55 detainees identified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faced a variety of charges alongside their immigration holds, including smuggling of persons, assault with a deadly weapon and sexual assault of a child. Local agencies maintain they have limited interaction with ICE, though state law requires some cooperation from the county jail.

  • During the first three months of 2026, the Bastrop County Jail booked 55 detainees with ICE holds.
  • In January, the Elgin Police Department confirmed its only recent interaction with immigration enforcement was earlier that month.

The players

Chris Noble

Elgin Police Chief, who said the department would assist any law enforcement agency, including ICE, if requested, but only within legal limits tied to criminal enforcement.

Maurice Cook

Bastrop County Sheriff, who said state law requires some cooperation with ICE, though the Sheriff's Office has no formal agreements with the agency.

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What they’re saying

“The only interaction the department has had with immigration enforcement was back in January.”

— Chris Noble, Elgin Police Chief

“State law requires some cooperation with ICE, though the Sheriff's Office has no formal agreements with the agency.”

— Maurice Cook, Bastrop County Sheriff

What’s next

Protests mirroring nationwide movements have been carried out in Elgin, Bastrop and Smithville through the first quarter of the year, and the demonstrations have been met with both criticism and praise from community members.

The takeaway

This data highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities in Bastrop County, Texas, as the community grapples with the intersection of criminal justice and immigration enforcement.