Texas governor withholds millions to press cities on ICE policy
TL;DR
Gov. Greg Abbott warned Houston, Dallas and Austin that roughly $200 million in state public-safety funding could be cut unless their police policies fully cooperate with ICE, ranging from $110 million for Houston to about $2.5 million for Austin and $32+ million for Dallas plus World Cup funds. The move catalyzes pushback from city leaders and a Paxton-led investigation and lawsuit against Houston, as officials defend SB 4-compliant policies and emphasize public safety and constitutional rights. The dispute underscores tensions between state immigration enforcement and local policing policies.
- Gov. Greg Abbott threatens $200 million in funding from major Texas cities over ICE policies The Texas Tribune
- Gov. Abbott says Houston will have to pay back $110M if immigration ordinance isn’t repealed FOX 26 Houston
- Harris County Lina Hidalgo calls for review of local ICE policies, cites fear and uncertainty among immigrants Click2Houston
- Special city council meeting to discuss Houston police immigration policy postponed, Mayor John Whitmire says ABC13 Houston
- After Abbott’s threat, Houston Mayor Whitmire’s influence faces test in his push to repeal HPD-ICE policy Houston Public Media
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