DPS confirms multiple people detained by ICE during traffic stops in Grimes County

The Texas Department of Public Safety has confirmed multiple people were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

More than a dozen state troopers were in Grimes County on Thursday conducting a joint task force traffic enforcement operation in the area.

Both the Grimes County Sheriff and Navasota Police Chief confirmed the operation is being led by the Texas Department of Public Safety along with officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Several KBTX viewers have said most of the traffic stops are happening south of Navasota along Highway 6.

Navasota resident Bobby Mallard says he saw several people being detained by ICE agents in front of the Walmart off Highway 6 Thursday morning.

"I seen they put like 5 or 6 people in the back of a white van they had them handcuffed," said Mallard.

The Navasota Police Department and Grimes County Sheriff's Office say they did not assist with the operation, both agencies have confirmed.

Sergeant Jimmy Morgan with DPS says they were conducting a task force operation in both Brazos and Grimes County Thursday, identifying vehicles and drivers who may be in violation of state laws or federal commercial vehicle regulations.

Morgan says it is policy to reach out to federal immigration officers if troopers have reasonable suspicion of a person unlawfully in the United States. He says because of that, ICE was on standby for Thursday's operation.

KBTX reached out to ICE for more information, they said that due to law-enforcement sensitivities, they are unable to share any information about the operation at this time.

The Brazos Sanctuary Network, or Red Migrante, was in Navasota Thursday afternoon. They tell KBTX they were there to make sure people were being treated fairly by law enforcement.

"People were scared people were asking is ice there what is happening have they taken anyone and it was spreading fear in our community. We stand up for our immigrant brothers and sisters and also to make sure their civil rights are not violated," said Nancy Plankey-Videla with the Brazos Sanctuary Network.

Morgan says the number of citations given out to drivers is unknown at this time.