Governor threatens to pull $110M in public safety funds over Houston's new immigration policy

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The City of Houston is being warned to change or repeal its new immigration policy or risk losing $110 million in public safety funding.

That warning comes in a letter sent on Monday from Gov. Greg Abbott's office, escalating tensions between state and local leaders just days after Houston City Council passed a controversial ordinance defining how police interact with federal immigration authorities.

"It doesn't come as a surprise to me," Councilmember Twila Carter, one of five members who voted against the measure, said.

The ordinance, sponsored by council members Alejandra Salinas, Abbie Kamin, and Edward Pollard, removes a previous rule that required Houston police officers to wait up to 30 minutes for federal immigration agents. Supporters say the change protects civil rights and helps build trust with immigrant communities.

But the state quickly pushed back.

Within two days of the vote, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into whether the ordinance violates state law. Now, the governor's office says Houston is out of compliance and could lose millions in grant funding.

"Wow... where does anyone find $110 million?" Carter said. "Maybe those who voted in favor can try to figure that one out."

In response, Councilmember Salinas defended the policy, calling the governor's threat "an attempt to bully our city for doing what is right," and maintaining the ordinance is legal.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who supported the measure, acknowledged the stakes, calling the situation a "crisis" and warning of real impacts to public safety if the funding is pulled.

"The potential loss of state funding poses real challenges for the Houston Police and Fire Departments and will impact public safety services across our city," the mayor said in a statement.

Still, Whitmire says he backed the ordinance because it aligns with current police practices and civil rights protections.

"I'm supporting it because I think it makes a statement that we've listened, and it's following the current practices of HPD of respecting the Fourth Amendment," Whitmire said last week.

He also noted at the time that state lawmakers could respond, something city leaders now say they anticipated.

"We actually knew there would be ramifications. It's a shame, but certainly not a surprise," Carter added.

The funding in question supports police and fire operations, equipment, and major-event security, including planning for the 2026 World Cup, which Houston is set to host.

City leaders are expected to discuss the issue further at a public safety committee meeting on Tuesday morning.