HOUSTON (Diya TV) — In an exclusive interview with The Public Interest, Harris County Justice of the Peace candidate Nasir Malik (Democratic primary, Precinct 4, Place 2) said he’s hearing from immigrant communities who are increasingly afraid to call local law enforcement, out of concern that ICE could arrive alongside constables or sheriffs.
Malik told Diya TV’s Ravi Kapur that people he met “from South America” said they have “lost trust in law enforcement” because they fear that when a law officer shows up, “ICE is going to come along with them.” Malik argued “a lot of damage has happened,” and that rebuilding trust will take “hard work and teamwork” grounded in “moral values,” the Constitution, and “respect of law.”
Asked to explain the role, Malik described JP courts as handling Class C misdemeanors and high-volume, everyday matters like traffic tickets, evictions, small claims, and truancy. That broad overview aligns with common descriptions of Texas JP/justice courts, which generally hear fine-only Class C cases and landlord-tenant disputes and can handle small civil claims (often up to $20,000 depending on the claim type).
Malik framed his candidacy as service-driven and personal, describing himself as an immigrant who came from Pakistan at 17 and worked his way up as a business owner. He said he’s not interested in “punishing people” from the bench and wants the court to focus on guidance, especially for youth.
“I don’t feel like the role of the justice of the peace should be punishing people,” Malik said. “The role should be to guide them, discipline them, and make them a better part of our community.”
He also referenced a prior run for Texas Senate District 7, where Malik lost the 2024 Democratic primary to Michelle Gwinn.
On the broader “tough vs. progressive” law enforcement debate, Malik said he supports working “hand on hand” with law enforcement while also ensuring people who don’t understand the system, especially first-time courthouse visitors, are treated fairly and not taken advantage of.
When asked whether ICE should be operating “as aggressively as has been instituted over the last few months,” Malik answered: “Absolutely no.” He described current enforcement as “a wild, wild west” and claimed ICE is acting “against the Constitution.”
Malik also referenced a recent death he attributed to ICE, saying it kept him awake for “two nights.” One high-profile case in early January 2026 involved Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, with the shooting under investigation and generating public backlash.
Texas’ primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with a potential runoff date of May 26, 2026, per the Texas Secretary of State’s primary election law calendar. Malik urged viewers to vote and called the moment “fragile” for democracy.
