Texas Governor Threatens to Revoke Millions Over Houston's New ICE Ordinance

The move comes after Houston City Council passed a law limiting police cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to revoke $110 million in public safety grant funding from the city of Houston over a recently adopted city council ordinance that limits police cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The governor called the move a "schoolyard bully" tactic aimed at punishing the city for its stance on immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments over immigration policy, with conservative state leaders like Abbott seeking to crack down on so-called "sanctuary city" policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The loss of $110 million in public safety funding could have significant impacts on Houston's ability to maintain essential police, fire, and emergency services.

The details

Houston City Council recently passed an ordinance that prohibits local police from inquiring about a person's immigration status, holding individuals on immigration detainers, or notifying ICE about the release of undocumented immigrants from custody. In response, Governor Abbott threatened to revoke $110 million in public safety grants that the city receives annually from the state, calling the ordinance "a slap in the face to the women and men who wear the badge" of law enforcement.

  • The Houston City Council passed the new ICE ordinance on April 12, 2026.
  • Governor Abbott issued his threat to revoke funding on April 14, 2026.

The players

Greg Abbott

The current Republican Governor of Texas, known for his hardline stance on immigration enforcement.

Houston City Council

The legislative body of the city of Houston, Texas, which recently passed an ordinance limiting police cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is straight out of the schoolyard bully playbook.”

— Houston City Council Member

What’s next

The dispute between the state and city governments is expected to continue, with potential legal challenges and further escalation from both sides.

The takeaway

The clash between Houston and the state of Texas over immigration enforcement highlights the broader national debate around the role of local police in federal immigration policy, with significant funding and public safety implications for cities that adopt "sanctuary" policies.