Houston Mayor Declines Legal Fight Over Immigration Ordinance

Whitmire says lawsuit from Texas AG is politically motivated

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:06pm

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Houston Mayor John Whitmire has decided not to pursue an expensive legal battle against a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over the city's new immigration ordinance. In a one-on-one interview, Whitmire told KPRC 2 reporter Re'Chelle Turner that he views the lawsuit as politically motivated and does not want to waste taxpayer money on a drawn-out court fight.

Why it matters

The dispute between Houston and the state of Texas over immigration policies highlights the ongoing tensions between local and state governments on this issue. Whitmire's decision not to fight the lawsuit could set a precedent for how other Texas cities respond to state intervention on immigration matters.

The details

Paxton's lawsuit alleges that Houston's new ordinance, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, violates state law. However, Whitmire argues the lawsuit is more about politics than policy, and he does not want to allocate city resources to defend the ordinance in court.

  • The lawsuit was filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on April 12, 2026.

The players

John Whitmire

The mayor of Houston who has decided not to pursue a legal fight against the state's lawsuit over the city's immigration ordinance.

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General who filed a lawsuit against the city of Houston over its new immigration ordinance.

Re'Chelle Turner

A reporter for KPRC 2 who conducted the one-on-one interview with Mayor Whitmire.

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What they’re saying

“The lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the city is political and I will not pursue an expensive court fight.”

— John Whitmire, Mayor of Houston

The takeaway

Mayor Whitmire's decision not to challenge the state's lawsuit over Houston's immigration ordinance reflects a pragmatic approach to avoid a costly legal battle, even as it cedes ground in the ongoing tug-of-war between local and state control over immigration policy in Texas.