Texas Supreme Court Halts Harris County’s Immigration Legal Aid Program
The Texas Supreme Court has issued a temporary injunction against Harris County’s immigration legal aid initiative aimed at assisting undocumented immigrants. On June 26, the court expressed concerns regarding the county’s constitutional authority to implement such a program.
This ruling is a significant development in an ongoing legal dispute initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in November 2025. Paxton’s lawsuit seeks to prevent Harris County from financing nonprofit organizations that provide legal support to immigrants facing deportation proceedings. The court’s two-page opinion indicated that serious constitutional questions remain regarding the legality of the program.
Paxton has criticized the legal aid program as an unconstitutional “evil” gift of taxpayer funds to private entities. He filed a similar lawsuit against Bexar County earlier in the same month. Both cases, however, were dismissed by a district court judge. Subsequently, Paxton appealed the Harris County decision to the Republican-controlled 15th Court of Appeals, which also ruled against his attempt to terminate the legal aid initiative.
The appellate judges referenced a prior ruling, asserting that Texas has consistently recognized the provision of counsel for low-income individuals in civil cases as a necessary public service. They noted that the state had not sufficiently explained why legal representation for those facing federal deportation should not fall under this category.
Governor Greg Abbott commended the Texas Supreme Court’s decision, referring to it as a clear example of wasteful spending by local governments. He emphasized that the program would be suspended “until further order,” reiterating that the court has yet to make a definitive ruling on the case, which remains pending in the Court of Appeals.
Harris County Attorney Abby Kamin, recently appointed to her position and running for election in November, expressed commitment to vigorously defending the legal aid program. She affirmed that the initiative aligns with the county’s values and represents responsive governance.
The Immigration Legal Fund was established in Harris County in 2020 with an initial budget of $2.5 million to facilitate legal support for individuals navigating immigration processes. Following this, Bexar County allocated $1 million in May 2024 to assist similar nonprofit organizations. Harris County’s initiative has reportedly helped 373 individuals over the past five years, although many cases have ended in expulsion or voluntary departure from the country.
As federal and state immigration enforcement intensifies, particularly under previous administrations, Harris County Jail has become a focal point for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees. Bexar County has also faced legal challenges from Paxton, who contends that these programs lack a public purpose and unconstitutionally distribute public funds to private entities engaged in deportation defenses.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, local officials defend the program’s legitimacy and impact. Harris County administrators assert that the program has operated responsibly for years without significant controversy, and they continue to emphasize its merit in serving the community effectively even in the face of political opposition.
The Texas Tribune’s Aiden Rannells and Alejandro Santos Cid, along with Houston Public Media’s Adam Zvanich, contributed to this article.
