The city of Houston, Texas, has walked back on a policy that blocked police from assisting in ICE operations.
“Following aggressive legal action by my office, Houston is now taking action to reverse its sanctuary policy,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “My office will continue to review the updated ordinance and ensure that the City of Houston fully complies with SB 4 and does not restrict law enforcement’s ability to assist ICE and enforce immigration law.”
The state threatened to pull $114 million in public safety funds from the city due to the policy, prompting Houston to change course.
“What the city of Houston did by passing the amendment to the ordinance, they brought the city in compliance with the contract,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) said of the revised policy, as per KHOU 11. “However, also a signer of that contract is Houston Police Department. As of this moment, the Houston Police Department still has not agreed to the terms of the contract requires. We continue to work with the Houston Police Department to make sure they also get in compliance with this agreement. If Houston Police Department does not deliver the way they’re supposed to and comply with the contract the way they’re supposed to, it will mean that the City of Houston will lose more than $100 million and be required to pay that money back to the state of Texas.”
Paxton previously filed a lawsuit against the city for adopting sanctuary policies.
“I will not allow any local official to push sanctuary policies that make our communities less safe,” Paxton said upon suing Houston officials. “Under my watch, no Texas city will be a safe harbor for illegals. The Texas Legislature passed strong legislation that specifically stops the type of lawless ordinance that Houston adopted. Houston has no authority to ignore the Constitution and the laws duly enacted by the Legislature. I’m calling on Houston to immediately repeal this ordinance.”
