Texas – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to withdraw about $110 million in state public safety grant funding from Houston after the city approved changes to its police cooperation policy with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to state officials and multiple reports.
The dispute centers on a Houston City Council vote on April 8, 2026, where council members approved an ordinance that removed a previous rule requiring Houston Police Department officers to wait up to 30 minutes for ICE agents to take custody of individuals held on civil immigration warrants. The change also eliminated a requirement for police to provide regular reports to city officials on ICE cooperation. Mayor John Whitmire supported the measure, saying it aligned city policy with what the department already practices.
Shortly after the vote, Abbott’s Public Safety Office sent a formal notice to Houston city leaders stating the city was out of compliance with the terms of its state grant agreements. The letter warned that unless Houston reversed the policy by April 20, the state could terminate the grants and require the city to repay the full $110 million within 30 days of cancellation.
Abbott’s office said the policy violates the conditions attached to state funding and Texas law requiring local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. A spokesperson for the governor said the state expects all cities and counties to fully cooperate with ICE and described efforts to limit that cooperation as unacceptable.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire described the situation as serious, warning that losing the funding would directly impact police, fire services, and other emergency operations. He said the city relies on a combination of local, state, and federal resources to maintain public safety and prepare for major upcoming events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
City Council members who supported the ordinance said it was meant to ensure that Houston police are not holding individuals solely on civil immigration warrants without judicial authority. Supporters argued the policy aligns with constitutional protections and does not prevent cooperation with ICE in criminal cases.
State leaders, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, have also launched investigations into whether Houston’s policy violates Senate Bill 4, a state law that restricts local governments from adopting immigration policies that limit enforcement cooperation. The legal review is still ongoing.
In response to the funding threat, city leaders are now considering whether to repeal the ordinance to avoid losing the state money. Mayor Whitmire has indicated that failure to resolve the issue could force the city into legal and financial conflict with the state government.
Council members opposing the state’s action have criticized Abbott’s move as political pressure, arguing that the city is being punished for a policy they believe is lawful and designed to protect constitutional rights.
As of now, Houston officials have not made a final decision, but the city is expected to revisit the ordinance before the state’s April 20 deadline.
