Laredo Officials Raise Concerns Over Unannounced Immigrant Transfers

Lack of coordination with federal agencies strains local resources, public health

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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City and state officials in Laredo, Texas say they were not notified in advance about recent transfers of immigrant families and children from a South Texas detention facility, raising concerns about coordination, public health, and the strain placed on local resources. Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino stated that while Laredo is not a sanctuary city, federal agencies should coordinate with local officials to ensure operations are handled responsibly, including proper health screenings.

Why it matters

The unannounced transfers have forced the city to step in and provide humanitarian and logistical support, using resources meant for the local community. A recent measles outbreak at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley has also heightened public health concerns about the transfers.

The details

Officials say immigrant families and children were recently transferred from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dilley to Laredo without prior notification to local authorities. This has strained city resources and raised questions about coordination between federal and local agencies. Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated he was unaware of the transfers, saying the information was inconsistent with what he had been told.

  • In late February 2026, immigrant families and children were transferred from the Dilley facility to Laredo.
  • A measles outbreak was confirmed at the Dilley facility in early February 2026.

The players

Dr. Victor Trevino

The mayor of Laredo, Texas who stated the city was not notified in advance about the recent transfers and expects federal agencies to coordinate with local officials to handle operations responsibly.

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who said he was unaware of the transfers to Laredo, stating the information was inconsistent with what he had been told.

Henry Cuellar

A U.S. Representative who said he also learned about the transfers after they had already begun, adding to questions about how information is being shared with local and regional leaders.

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What they’re saying

“My concern isn't the legal immigration enforcement, it's the communication. The city of Laredo was not notified in advance about recent ICE detainee transfers from Dilley to Laredo. In the past, when this happened, the city had to step in and provide humanitarian and logistical support, using resources meant for our own community.”

— Dr. Victor Trevino, Mayor of Laredo (lmtonline.com)

“Laredo is not a sanctuary city, but we do expect these operations to be handled professionally and humanely, with proper coordination and health screenings to protect everyone involved.”

— Dr. Victor Trevino, Mayor of Laredo (lmtonline.com)

“I've had no information or conversation, whatever, about dropping them off here. Not knowing, essentially what you're talking about, even not knowing that, I can tell you for a fact, there are fewer being dropped off now than there were two years ago under the prior administration.”

— Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (lmtonline.com)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the measles outbreak at the Dilley facility is expected to provide an update on the situation and any protocols for future transfers on February 20, 2026.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better coordination and communication between federal immigration authorities and local officials to ensure the responsible and humane handling of immigrant transfers, including proper health screenings, to protect both the immigrant population and the local community.