Houston Faces Loss of Critical Funding Over Immigration Ordinance
HOUSTON, Texas — Mayor John Whitmire announced Monday that Houston may lose vital funding for police, fire, and homeland security if the city doesn’t reverse its recently adopted immigration ordinance. This action could result in a loss of around $110 million in state aid.
In a statement, Mayor Whitmire explained that officials were informed by Gov. Greg Abbott’s Department of Public Safety that the state plans to withdraw grant funding due to a change in the City Council’s stance on immigration enforcement. This shift was deemed a violation of the existing city-state agreement.
Whitmire characterized the situation as critical, noting that losing state funding would pose a significant challenge for public safety across the city, affecting police and fire departments as well as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to local reports, the governor’s letter to Whitmire stated that the new ordinance violates previous agreements, effectively nullifying any grants from the Public Safety Office for the fiscal year 2026 unless the ordinance is repealed by April 20, 2026. This places the city in a precarious position regarding potential repayment of funds if grants are terminated.
The recent policy approved by the City Council restricts Houston police from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during traffic stops. Council member Alejandra Salinas argued that this respect for immigration detainees aligns with Fourth Amendment protections.
Salinas also criticized Abbott’s actions, stating that threatening to withdraw necessary resources is a political move that endangers public safety.
Additionally, the state has contended that the new ordinance limits the Houston Police Department’s ability to work with ICE, which contradicts agreements previously signed by Mayor Whitmire to cooperate fully with federal authorities regarding immigration matters.
City Councilman Edward Pollard expressed disappointment, asserting that Whitmire had reassured the city that it could withstand pressures from the state to maintain its stance. However, he suggested that the mayor has now wavered under that pressure.
Houston Police Officers Union Executive Director Ray Hunt commented on the situation, emphasizing that if the ordinance is deemed legal, there should be no issue. Otherwise, the department may seek legal opinions on compliance with what they may consider illegal orders.
The Texas Attorney General has initiated an investigation connected to complaints about the ordinance potentially infringing on Texas’ strict anti-sanctuary city laws. He has stated that the city cannot override state legislation and that such a move could lead to harmful consequences.
As the city approaches the April 20 deadline, it faces a critical decision: amend or repeal the ordinance to avoid losing state funding, or face significant consequences that could impact public safety amidst ongoing political and legal battles.
