Gov. Greg Abbott threatened Monday to strip nearly $200 million in state public safety funding from Houston, Dallas, and Austin, claiming their policies limiting police cooperation with federal immigration authorities make streets less safe rather than safer.
Houston faces the largest potential cut at approximately $110 million. Dallas stands to lose more than $32 million in grants plus an additional $55 million in World Cup public safety funding. Austin could forfeit approximately $2.5 million. Abbott gave Houston an extended deadline to comply, while Austin and Dallas received similar letters Thursday.
The threatened cuts stem from each city’s policy directing police officers not to prolong detention of individuals to facilitate contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during routine encounters like traffic stops.
The dispute reflects a broader tension between state authority over immigration enforcement and local police discretion. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office contends the city policies violate Senate Bill 4, a state law that prohibits local governments from adopting measures that “materially limit” immigration enforcement. The cities argue their policies are legally sound and protect constitutional rights.
Abbott’s office has threatened the cuts, stating that the policies prevent police from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The governor’s spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said that “Cities in Texas are expected to make the streets safer, not more deadly.”
The three cities’ policies direct officers not to prolong detention of individuals during encounters like traffic stops to facilitate contact with federal immigration authorities. Houston’s ordinance also requires quarterly reports on the city’s cooperation with ICE.
State’s Legal Challenge
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office contends that the policies violate Senate Bill 4, a state law prohibiting local governments from adopting measures that “materially limit” immigration enforcement. The office has also sued Houston and opened investigations into Austin’s policies.
Austin revised its immigration enforcement guidance in March after the January detention and alleged deportation of a Honduran woman and her 5-year-old child prompted community backlash. The city’s updated policy bans officers from arresting people solely based on civil immigration warrants and from unreasonably prolonging detention to contact ICE.
“The City of Austin has made great progress on public safety — but our APD officers do not have the capacity — and should not be asked — to do the jobs of other entities,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in response to Abbott’s threat. “There is great irony that the state would try to punish the City for providing services that keep Austinites safe by threatening grants that keep Austin safe.”
Watson disputed Paxton’s legal interpretation, saying that Austin’s policy “is consistent with SB 4 and only provides clarity for officers when they interact with immigration officers.”
The ACLU of Texas has said Houston’s policy supports “longstanding protections under the Fourth Amendment.”
Houston and Dallas Respond
Houston Mayor John Whitmire called Abbott’s threat a “crisis situation” and moved quickly to request a special city council meeting to reconsider the ordinance. Whitmire, who voted for the measure, said in a statement that “I think it’s unfortunate that so much time and resources are being spent on an issue that should not be partisan. It interferes with our responsibility to keep Houston safe and protect all residents.”
Houston Councilmember Alejandra Salinas, who spearheaded the ordinance, called on city leaders to “vigorously defend” the measure and pursue legal action. “It’s no longer a question about whether the City should go to court. We’re already there,” Salinas said. “The Mayor and City Council must vigorously defend the law we voted for and that the City Attorney deemed legal. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to defend our laws and protect Houstonians’ constitutional rights.”
Dallas spokesperson Rick Ericson said in response that “We remain committed to complying with all applicable state and federal laws while continuing to prioritize public safety for the residents of Dallas, and ensuring our officers have the resources and support necessary to effectively serve the community.”
Paxton’s office filed its lawsuit against Houston on the same day Abbott sent his funding threat letter. The legal dispute centers on how state and local authorities should navigate federal immigration enforcement and local police operations. No court has yet ruled on the conflicting interpretations of Senate Bill 4’s scope.