US EditionKen Paxton Sues Bexar County, Claiming Tax Dollars Were Spent on Legal Fees for Migrants Facing Deportation
The lawsuit alleges that $566,181 was unlawfully allocated to a nonprofit for immigration legal services, violating Texas' Gift Clause, according to the attorney general.
- On Feb. 4, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Bexar County, alleging unlawful use of taxpayer funds for immigration legal services, and seeks immediate court relief.
- On Dec. 16, 2025 the Bexar County Commissioners Court voted to allocate $566,181 to the county’s Immigration Legal Services fund, approved by a 4-1 vote with Rebeca Clay Flores supporting.
- The December funding goes to American Gateways, nonprofit legal services provider offering free or low-cost immigration aid, while Bexar County’s Immigration Legal Services program began in May 2024 to help deportation cases; similar programs exist in Austin and Dallas.
- The state argues the spending violates the Texas Constitution’s `Gift Clause`, barring public grants without clear benefit, contends deportation proceedings are civil matters, and says government-funded legal representation is not required.
- Critics called the previous Harris County suit a `cheap political stunt`, and Paxton’s office warns the Bexar County program’s total could rise to over $1 million.
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“State funds cannot fund anti-deportation defense services for people who are illegally present,” the Attorney General said.
San Antonio Express-News
The Gilmer MirrorTexas AG sues Bexar County over legal aid for undocumented immigrants
Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Bexar County on Wednesday to shut down a program that uses county funds to help undocumented people access legal support.
Paxton sues Bexar County over immigration legal services program
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Bexar County and county officials, alleging taxpayer funds were unlawfully used to support an immigration legal services program.Paxton sues Bexar County over taxpayer-funded immigration legal services program was first posted on February 4, 2026 at 12:54 pm.©2021 "San Antonio Report". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your fe…
The Statesman
San Antonio Express-NewsKen Paxton sues Bexar County for paying for legal assistance for immigrants
The lawsuit follows a similar one Paxton filed in Harris County. It names County Judge Peter Sakai and the four Bexar County commissioners.
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