US EditionHouston changes ordinance limiting cooperation with ICE after pressure from governor
The revised plan keeps Fourth Amendment limits on detentions and adds quarterly reporting as city leaders seek to restore about $110 million in state funding.
- On Wednesday, the Houston City Council voted 13-4 to amend a police ordinance governing cooperation with federal immigration authorities, aiming to restore $110 million in state public safety funding frozen by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
- Abbott froze the $110 million in grants last week after the council previously restricted Houston Police Department officers from detaining individuals solely for ICE administrative warrants, alleging the city violated state funding agreements.
- The revised policy allows officers to detain individuals for a "reasonably necessary" period for legitimate purposes discovered during encounters. Mayor John Whitmire says the language "reinforces the Fourth Amendment" and satisfies state requirements.
- Opposing the measure, Council Member Alejandra Salinas and Council Member Abbie Kamin voted against the amendment, arguing it compromises Fourth Amendment rights and yields to state political pressure.
- Abbott's office will now decide whether the amendment satisfies state grant agreements, a determination critical for restoring police operations and security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
44 Articles
44 Articles
Sanctuary city backs off after GOP governor put it in ‘crisis’ mode with $110 million threat
Houston City Council voted to soften a sanctuary-style policy limiting ICE cooperation after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to pull more than $110 million in state funding.
Houston City Council, Mayor, Put Politics Above People in Vote to Approve Ordinance Regarding ICE/HPD Collaboration | Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Houston City Council, Mayor, Put Politics Above People in Vote to Approve Ordinance Regarding ICE/HPD Collaboration 04/22/2026 ddelacruz Wed, 04/22/2026 - 11:37 (Houston, Texas)—Rather than stand firm to protect all communities from the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) overzealous and unconstitutional collaboration with ICE since last year, the City Council voted to eliminate an ordinance that set clear parameters and 4th amendment protection…
The Gilmer Mirror
RecentlyHeard: Breaking News, Latest News, Coronavirus NewsHouston City Council approves gutting policy limiting ICE cooperation, civil rights groups say
By Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune April 22, 2026 Texas’ largest city has voted 13-4 to amend a policy that limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as it faces a major funding threat from Gov. Greg Abbott. Ahead of the Wednesday vote, civil rights groups called the proposed changes a “backdoor attempt” at repealing the ordinance. But under questions from council members, the city’s attorney Arturo Mi…
Houston amends new ICE rules after Abbott froze $110 million in grants
Associated Press News
Houston changes ordinance limiting cooperation with ICE after pressure from governor
A Houston city ordinance that limited police officers’ cooperation with federal immigration agents has been amended after Texas’ governor had threatened to take away millions of dollars in public safety grants.
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