District Attorney addresses immigrant protections, racial bias in policing, drug violence, and mental-health needs
HOUSTON — Local residents gathered Dec. 19 at Hilton Houston Westchase’s Rio Ranch Bar for a community breakfast and open dialogue with Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare. Hosted by community champions Nancy J. Li and Kenneth Li, the event centered on improving public safety while ensuring fairness throughout the county’s justice system.
Organizers described the gathering as “an important opportunity to engage with our legal system, have direct dialogue with our District Attorney, and share perspectives on how we can work together to build a safer, fairer community.”
The breakfast gave attendees a chance to ask questions directly to Teare, who began his first term as District Attorney in January 2025. He previously served 11 years as a prosecutor in the same office he now leads, including six years as Division Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Division.
Protecting immigrant families & community trust
Houston is home to hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents eligible for U.S. citizenship. But many remain hesitant to seek naturalization or report crimes due to fears about immigration consequences.
Kenneth Li, Southwest Management District
Teare emphasized that the District Attorney’s Office does not enforce immigration laws and is committed to ensuring everyone in Harris County feels protected.
“Our office is here to protect people,” he said. “We don’t ask about immigration status because we don’t care about that. We care about whether you are safe.”
He said his office is committed to increasing community trust and making sure victims feel empowered to seek help regardless of status.
Addressing fears about racial bias in policing
A woman in attendance shared concerns about raising her 21-year-old Black son, saying she fears a simple traffic stop could escalate if handled by a racist or rogue officer.
Teare acknowledged that her worries reflect lived experiences many families face.
“I have never been a young Black man. I’m a white guy — and I sound like I sound,” he said. “I’ve never been stopped because of how I look. But that doesn’t mean I don’t recognize that it happens. And it happens a lot.”
He said his office is working to expand diversion programs so that minor infractions do not lead to unnecessary criminal charges.
“We’re expanding diversion programs and creating different paths for people with personal-use amounts or minor issues with a vehicle,” he said. “That prevents those stops from turning into something that ruins someone’s life.”
Drug policy & violence prevention
AAnother attendee, a member of the Asian Chamber of Commerce, raised a question about recent national discussions on cannabis reclassification and what impacts that might have locally.
Teare said he believes that regulating marijuana could reduce violence by disrupting the illicit drug economy.
“People aren’t committing capital murder over a six-pack of beer because they can walk right into a store and buy it,” he said. “Legalizing, taxing, and regulating marijuana takes the criminal element out of the trade and helps keep people safe.”
Homelessness, mental-health needs & long-term goals
On homelessness and mental-health concerns, Teare said more options are needed to prevent people experiencing crises from entering the justice system. He noted that one of his office’s long-term goals is to support the expansion of safe havens and bed availability at mental-health facilities so officers can direct individuals to appropriate care rather than jail when possible.
A continued invitation to engage
According to his official biography, Teare’s commitment to justice was influenced by his parents’ involvement in the civil-rights movement and personal experiences in his family.
He encouraged residents to stay engaged and ask questions directly, noting that communication between the community and the District Attorney’s Office is essential for building trust.