Houston City Council Amends Immigration Cooperation Ordinance
A recent amendment to a Houston ordinance limiting police collaboration with federal immigration authorities came after Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened the city with the loss of millions in public safety grants. This decision follows the initial passage of the ordinance by the Houston City Council just two weeks prior, which had aimed to eliminate the requirement for police officers to wait a full 30 minutes for federal agents to arrive to detain individuals with non-judicial administrative warrants.
Under the original terms, if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not show up within the specified time, police officers would gather information on detainees before releasing them. However, Governor Abbott warned that this new policy violated the conditions tied to a $110 million state grant awarded to Houston for security during the upcoming World Cup games.
The situation escalated further when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Mayor John Whitmire and other city council members, asserting that the ordinance breached a 2017 state law prohibiting cities from enacting policies that restrict the enforcement of immigration laws.
Following over two hours of deliberation at their weekly meeting, the City Council voted 13-4 in favor of revising the ordinance. Mayor Whitmire noted he had consulted with the governor’s office to find a compromise that would prevent the city from forfeiting crucial funding.
The amended ordinance removes the previous clause indicating that an administrative warrant—one that is not issued by a judge—was inadequate for police to arrest or detain an individual. Mayor Whitmire discussed the pressing need to secure funding, stating, “Houston has no choice but to survive, prepare for the World Cup, and patrol these areas.”
City Councilwoman Abby Kamin, one of the sponsors of the original ordinance, opposed the changes, expressing concern that compliance with state threats might empower further bullying from state leaders. “What’s next if you give in?” she questioned.
Houston is not alone in facing scrutiny from the state government. Other Texas cities, such as Dallas and Austin, are also grappling with similar pressures as they adopt comparable law enforcement and immigration policies. Collectively, these cities risk losing approximately $200 million in public safety funding, which includes critical financial support for the upcoming World Cup.
In Dallas, officials reaffirmed their commitment to public safety and are expected to respond to Governor Abbott’s threats in the coming days. Meanwhile, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson emphasized that their local policies adhere to state law, pointing out that Abbott’s potential move to cut nearly $3 million in funding would severely impact trauma support programs for police officers and survivors of sexual assault. Watson stated, “We’re not going to engage in this kind of political theater because we don’t have the time.” Furthermore, Austin officials indicated they might explore negotiation options with the governor.
This ongoing debate in Houston and other Texas cities unfolds against a backdrop of aggressive federal immigration enforcement, as local leaders, particularly those aligned with left-leaning initiatives, attempt to avoid drawing federal attention amid heightened immigration crackdowns.
Associated Press writer Jim Bertuno in Austin contributed to this report.
