Texas Governor Threatens to Withhold Public Safety Funds From Houston, Dallas, and Austin Over Immigration Policies

The offices of Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have launched a concerted effort to pressure Houston, Dallas, and Austin to change city policies that the state says hinder cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

On Monday, Abbott’s office informed Houston officials that the city stands to lose roughly $110 million in public safety grants unless it repeals an ordinance that limits coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. By Thursday, similar letters were sent to Austin and Dallas: Austin could forfeit $2.5 million in funding, while Dallas faces losing more than $32 million in grants and an additional $55 million allocated for World Cup-related public safety.

Houston faces the largest potential cut, and both Dallas and Austin have been given warnings tied to city measures that, according to Abbott and Paxton, may violate Texas Senate Bill 4. This law prohibits local governments from enacting policies that “materially limit” participation in immigration enforcement.

Attorney General Paxton’s office has already filed a lawsuit against Houston concerning its ordinance, and has opened an investigation into the Austin Police Department’s approach to immigration enforcement. That review follows controversy over the January detention and reported deportation of a Honduran woman and her child, which drew significant public criticism and led Austin to revise its policies.

City leaders have pushed back against the state government’s threats. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the city’s guidelines comply with state law and offer greater clarity to officers in the field, arguing that Austin police should not be tasked with federal immigration enforcement. Dallas spokesperson Rick Ericson said the city remains committed to both public safety and legal compliance. In Houston, Mayor John Whitmire called Abbott’s move a “crisis situation” and sought an emergency city council meeting to re-examine the ordinance in question.

Despite the governor’s warnings, some city officials say they are prepared for a legal fight. Houston council member Alejandra Salinas, a chief supporter of the city’s ordinance, emphasized the need to defend the law and the constitutional rights of residents in court.

As of now, Houston is facing legal action and cities await further developments. Investigations will continue while city councils and legal teams determine their next steps.