US EditionHouston mayor says state funding already cut as ICE policy dispute escalates
State officials say the ordinance breaches grant agreements and could force Houston to repay the full amount within 30 days.
- On Monday, Texas officials froze more than $110 million in public safety grants for Houston, citing the city's recently passed immigration ordinance as a violation of state funding agreements.
- The dispute stems from a city ordinance prohibiting Houston Police from detaining individuals based solely on ICE administrative warrants, nullifying previous policies requiring officers to hold suspects for federal agents.
- Houston Mayor John Whitmire described the situation as a "crisis," warning that funding cuts have already forced police overtime reductions and threaten 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations.
- Governor Greg Abbott gave the city until April 20 to repeal the ordinance or face potential repayment of the full grant amount within 30 days.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into the ordinance, mirroring aggressive state responses seen in other Democrat-run cities facing immigration policy scrutiny during Trump's second term.
17 Articles
17 Articles
The Center Square
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Here’s what leaders across Texas are saying about Abbott’s fight with Houston city officials over ICE policy
Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold more than $110 million in public safety grants to the city of Houston over a new policy intended to cut back on coordination between the Houston Police Department and federal immigration officers.
Austin, U.S.A., 15 Apr (EFE).- Houston, the most populous city in Texas (U.S.), is studying to reverse the restrictions that limit collaboration between local police and federal immigration agents approved by the municipal council last week, in the face of pressure from the state governor, ultraconservative Greg Abbott. The mayor of the city, Democrat John Whitmire, convened a special session of the municipal council next Friday to eliminate the…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Threatens Houston Police Funding Due To ICE Ordinance
Source: Brandon Bell / Getty Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has once again shown he cares more about being the Trump administration’s lapdog than protecting the rights of the people he was elected to represent. On Monday, Abbott threatened to revoke $110 million in public safety funding if the city of Houston didn’t repeal a new ordinance regarding how long officers can hold a suspect who may have an administrative warrant from ICE. According to the Ne…
The Gilmer Mirror
MyParisTexasHouston to consider repealing ordinance limiting its ICE cooperation amid state funding threat, investigation
By Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune April 14, 2026 Houston will consider walking back a new ordinance limiting cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents, as the city faces an investigation and threats of funding cuts from Republican state leaders. In March, Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz and Mayor John Whitmire announced a new rule directing local law enforcement to wait 30 minutes for federal agents to arrive at the scene, if…
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