A special meeting of the Houston City Council is scheduled for Friday to discuss the potential repeal of a recently enacted ordinance concerning local police interactions with federal immigration authorities. This development comes in response to a significant threat from the State of Texas regarding the city’s public safety funding.
On April 8, the City Council approved the ordinance, which outlined new protocols for how police should engage with federal immigration officials. Under the new rules, police officers are prohibited from detaining individuals longer than necessary to await the arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reversing a previous requirement that mandated a 30-minute wait for a response from immigration authorities. Additionally, the ordinance mandates regular public reports detailing how often the Houston Police Department (HPD) inquires about immigration status or contacts federal agencies.
However, the situation escalated when state officials threatened to withdraw $110 million in public safety grants from Houston, citing the new ordinance as a violation of grant agreements. Mayor John Whitmire confirmed that the city received this notification, which was prompted by an ongoing investigation led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton into the ordinance’s compliance with Senate Bill 4.
In a letter addressed to Mayor Whitmire, Governor Greg Abbott expressed that the ordinance contradicts previous agreements and warned that failure to repeal it by April 20, 2026, could lead to the termination of all associated grants. The letter emphasized the financial implications, stating that the city would need to repay the full amount of the grants if they were terminated.
Mayor Whitmire described the funding threat as a “crisis situation,” highlighting the potential impact on public safety services, including the operations of the Houston Police and Fire Departments, as well as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He underscored that the city’s public safety agencies depend on a mix of local, state, and federal resources to function effectively.
Houston City Controller Chris Hollins also spoke out, asserting that the city’s primary obligation is to its residents. He criticized the potential repercussions of the ordinance, referencing the detrimental effects of aggressive ICE enforcement on families and community trust. Hollins voiced his support for the ordinance, stating it was rooted in a commitment to protect Houston residents while remaining lawful. He urged the City Council to stand firm in their decision and suggested that the city attorney should take legal action to contest the governor’s funding threat.
