Texas State Representative Giovanni Capriglione has introduced House Bill 1554, which would bar state and local governments from using taxpayer money to fund legal services for illegal immigrants. The bill specifically targets state agencies, boards, commissions, universities, and local governments, prohibiting them from allocating public funds to assist individuals in immigration-related legal proceedings, including deportation cases.
The legislation also blocks local governments from being reimbursed for providing such services. It does not affect indigent defendants entitled to legal representation under Texas’ Code of Criminal Procedure.
The proposal comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to launch a major deportation initiative. Sanctuary cities and counties in Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, have created publicly funded legal defense programs in recent years to protect illegal immigrants facing deportation. Many of these initiatives have received support from organizations like the Vera Institute of Justice, which is funded by the Biden administration and billionaire George Soros.
The Vera Institute’s SAFE Network partners with local governments and nonprofits to provide legal defense for illegal immigrants. In Texas, SAFE collaborates with Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and counties like Harris and Bexar. These programs have funneled millions of taxpayer dollars into legal aid services. For example, Harris County allocated $2 million in 2024 alone for its Immigrant Legal Services Fund, while Bexar County approved $1 million in 2022 to fund nonprofits such as RAICES and American Gateways.
Austin committed over $2 million for similar services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and San Antonio allocated $1.5 million in 2021 to organizations including Catholic Charities and Lutheran Immigration Services. These programs offer free legal representation to individuals facing deportation.
Capriglione’s bill seeks to end these practices by prohibiting state and local entities from using public funds to support these legal defense efforts. Advocates for the legislation argue that taxpayer money should not be used to defend individuals who are in the country illegally. Critics contend the bill could leave vulnerable populations without access to legal representation, potentially undermining due process rights.
If passed, HB 1554 would effectively dismantle local programs currently providing legal defense for illegal immigrants, marking a significant shift in Texas’ approach to immigration enforcement. The legislation underscores the state’s broader efforts to address border-related issues amid ongoing federal debates over immigration policy.
