GWA Attorney Joseph Larsen Speaks With The Houston Chronicle As Houston Police Say ICE-Related Bodycam Footage Will Cost $4,000 and Take 220 Days to Release
If you’re hoping to access body camera footage from incidents where Houston police called immigration authorities to the scene, prepare for a long wait — and a steep bill.
According to the Houston Police Department (HPD), it will take more than 220 days and cost over $4,000 to release footage from 22 incidents in 2025 involving officers contacting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The department blames the delay on a backlog of public records requests, but some legal experts say the situation may violate state law.
“The city is obviously slow-walking the request," said Houston attorney Joseph Larsen of Gregor
Wynne Arney, who specializes in freedom of information cases.” I think you could sue … on the
grounds that such a slow turnaround is equivalent to refusal to release the records.”
Internal Records Reveal Calls to ICE — Despite Public Denials
City leaders, including Mayor John Whitmire, have publicly claimed that Houston police are not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. However, internal police reports obtained by the Houston Chronicle tell a different story.
Between January and April 2025, officers reportedly contacted ICE 22 times — with immigration agents detaining individuals in at least four cases.
Despite this, Mayor Whitmire defended the police department's handling of the records request.
“I am satisfied they are doing the best they can," Whitmire said. "The chief and I are committed
to transparency.”
The Cost of Transparency?
The Chronicle filed a request for body camera footage from all 22 incidents and received an invoice detailing over $4,000 in fees. The department charges a $10 flat fee per video, plus $1 per minute of footage.
To illustrate:
- A March traffic stop costs less than $30
- An April narcotics complaint video costs nearly $500
While the $4000 price tag is allowed under Texas law, agencies are also expected to reduce or waive fees when releasing information that serves the public interest.
What the Law Requires
Under the Texas Public Information Act, agencies are required to:
- Respond within 10 business days
- Produce records in a reasonable timeframe
- Justify delays for complex or burdensome requests
Yet some legal experts say 220 days is unreasonable — and potentially illegal.
“Saying it will take more than 200 days to provide body camera footage is tantamount to denying records,” Larsen said.
“It’s the world we live in now. No branch of government gives a rat’s ass about the public information act.”
He added that filing a lawsuit is often the only effective way to compel compliance, which is a route most individuals can’t afford to pursue.
Final Thoughts
While the city maintains that the delay is administrative, the reports raise troubling questions about transparency, access to justice, and whether immigrant communities are being unfairly targeted — or silenced.
As this story continues to unfold, advocates are calling on city leaders to ensure access to public information isn’t just a promise — but a priority.