Texas AG Sues Houston Over Sanctuary City Ordinance

Lawsuit targets new policy limiting cooperation between local police and ICE agents.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:21pm

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the city of Houston and its mayor and city council members over a new 'sanctuary' ordinance that ended a policy requiring local police to wait for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents before releasing certain suspects. Paxton argues the ordinance violates state law and makes communities less safe.

Why it matters

The lawsuit is the latest clash between Texas state officials and local governments over immigration enforcement policies. It highlights the ongoing political tensions and legal battles between state and municipal authorities on the issue of immigration.

The details

The Houston ordinance, passed by a 12-5 vote, ended a policy that required police officers to wait at least 30 minutes for ICE to arrive if a suspect had an immigration warrant. Paxton's lawsuit names Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the 16 city council members, and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz as defendants, arguing the ordinance violates a 2017 state law that prevents local governments from adopting policies limiting federal immigration enforcement.

  • The Houston City Council passed the sanctuary ordinance on April 12, 2026.
  • Paxton filed the lawsuit against the city on April 17, 2026.

The players

Ken Paxton

The Attorney General of Texas who filed the lawsuit against the city of Houston.

Sylvester Turner

The mayor of Houston who supported the sanctuary city ordinance.

J. Noe Diaz

The Houston Police Chief named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Alejandra Salinas

A Houston City Council member who urged the city to defend the ordinance in court.

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who has threatened to freeze public safety funding if Houston does not comply with immigration enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“I will not allow any local official to push sanctuary policies that make our communities less safe.”

— Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General

“It's no longer a question about whether the City should go to court. We're already there. The Mayor and City Council must vigorously defend the law we voted for and that the City Attorney deemed legal. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to defend our laws and protect Houstonians' constitutional rights.”

— Alejandra Salinas, Houston City Council member

“Houston received more than $100 million from the state based on a written agreement that they will comply with immigration enforcement. If they refuse to comply, they better get out their checkbook. It will be costly if they refuse to keep their streets safe.”

— Greg Abbott

What’s next

The case will now proceed through the court system, with the city of Houston expected to defend the ordinance against Paxton's lawsuit.

The takeaway

This legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between state and local governments in Texas over immigration enforcement policies, with the state seeking to crack down on so-called 'sanctuary cities' while local officials argue they are protecting the rights and safety of all residents.