Tensions flared at a Houston City Council meeting Wednesday after Police Chief Noe Diaz’s remarks about a controversial immigration case prompted a public outburst.
Advocacy Leader Confronts Police Chief
As Mayor John Whitmire called for a 20-minute recess, Cesar Espinosa, executive director of immigrant advocacy group FIEL, stood up and shouted at Chief Diaz for allegedly refusing to meet with him.
“Why do you lie? Why do you lie? Chief Diaz we’ve been trying to meet with you,” Espinosa yelled. “The child is autistic! Proper care that he deserves—do not lie.” Moments later, the audio feed from the meeting was cut.
Teen With Autism Separated From Mother
The confrontation stemmed from the case of 15-year-old Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia, a Houston teen with autism taken into federal custody after disappearing Oct. 4. He was found at a McDonald’s near Airline Drive and reportedly told police he had no family, leading authorities to contact federal immigration agencies.
Emergency Surgery Raises Concerns
Advocates say Emmanuel functions at the cognitive level of a 4- or 5-year-old and should not have been separated from his mother. He recently underwent emergency appendicitis surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital and remains in federal custody. His mother’s contact with him has been limited since their separation.
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