Texas Threatens to Cut Dallas Funding Over Immigration Enforcement Dispute

Gov. Abbott warns city could lose millions in public safety grants and World Cup security funding if it doesn't change police policies.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting in shades of blue, grey, and red depicting the overlapping, fragmented motion of police cars, government vehicles, and urban architecture, conceptually representing the conflict between state and local policies on immigration enforcement.The escalating tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies are creating a chaotic, fractured landscape for Texas cities like Dallas.Dallas Today

The State of Texas is warning the City of Dallas that it could lose roughly $32.1 million in public safety grants and $55.1 million in FIFA World Cup security funding if the city does not change police policies that limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Texas officials say Dallas' policies conflict with an agreement the city signed in 2025 to fully participate in federal immigration enforcement procedures.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement. Texas has taken a hardline stance, threatening to withhold critical public safety funding from cities that don't comply with state demands for cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The outcome could set a precedent for how these conflicts are resolved across the state.

The details

In an April 16, 2026 letter, the executive director of Gov. Greg Abbott's Public Safety Office informed Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson that the city's police policies appear to violate an agreement Dallas signed in 2025 to fully cooperate with ICE. The state says Dallas police are limiting cooperation, which conflicts with the city's certification that it would participate fully in federal immigration enforcement processes. Texas is giving Dallas until April 23 to change or remove the conflicting policies, or risk losing the $32.1 million in grants and potentially $55.1 million in World Cup security funding.

  • In April 2025, the City of Dallas signed an agreement promising to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
  • On April 16, 2026, the state notified Dallas of the potential funding cuts.
  • Dallas has until April 23, 2026 to resolve the policy conflict.

The players

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas, who is taking a hardline stance against cities that don't fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Eric Johnson

The Mayor of Dallas, who has not yet publicly responded to the state's warning letter.

Andrew Friedrichs

The executive director of Governor Greg Abbott's Public Safety Office, who sent the warning letter to Dallas.

Andrew Mahaleris

The press secretary for Governor Greg Abbott, who defended the state's position on immigration enforcement cooperation.

Kim Tolbert

The Dallas City Manager, who signed the 2025 agreement promising full cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

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What they’re saying

“A city's failure to comply with its contract agreement with the state to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws makes the state less safe. It can have deadly consequences. Cities in Texas are expected to make the streets safer, not more deadly.”

— Andrew Mahaleris, Press Secretary for Governor Greg Abbott

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on April 23, 2026 whether Dallas must change its police policies to comply with the state's demands or risk losing millions in public safety and World Cup funding.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing power struggle between state and local governments over immigration enforcement, with Texas taking an aggressive stance to force cities to cooperate with federal authorities or face severe financial penalties. The outcome could set a precedent for how these conflicts are resolved across the state.