OAN Staff Addie Davis
1:10 PM – Thursday, April 23, 2026
In response to mounting pressure from state leaders, the Houston City Council in Texas has voted to revise a local immigration ordinance that officials say defied state law.
On Wednesday, the Houston City Council voted 13–4 to amend the immigration ordinance it had passed just two weeks prior. The amendment was specifically designed to resolve a high-stakes standoff with Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas).
Texas officials warned Mayor John Whitmire (D-Texas) that the original policy — which restricted Houston police cooperation with federal immigration authorities — violated Texas Senate Bill 4. This non-compliance put approximately $110 million in Public Safety Office (PSO) grants at risk for the 2026 fiscal year, prompting the council to amend the language to protect the city’s funding.
“During a field encounter, in accordance with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, officers may temporarily detain an individual only as long as reasonably necessary to complete the legitimate purpose of the initial stop or investigation,” stated one section of the proposition.
According to ABC13, the ordinance removes a previous rule that required officers to wait up to 30 minutes for federal immigration agents. The outlet published the amended version.
While the revised ordinance eliminates the mandatory 30-minute wait for immigration agents, it doesn’t strip officers of their authority. According to The Texas Tribune, Mayor Whitmire emphasized that the policy now grants police the discretion to either hold or release an individual based on the specific circumstances of the encounter.
“While I remain hopeful based on the City Attorney’s assurances that this amendment will continue to end HPD’s 30-minute wait policy and not permit HPD officers to detention on the basis of a civil administrative warrant alone, that language was struck by the Governor and Houstonians shouldn’t need to rely solely on assurances,” council member Alejandra Salinas said in a statement.
The amendment also reportedly changed the definition for the administrative warrants issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which ABC13 provided.
“An administrative warrant issued by ICE personnel for civil immigration violations. ICE administrative warrants are not reviewed by a neutral magistrate or judge and are not probable cause for a criminal arrest,” it originally stated.
The amended version reads: “An administrative warrant issued by ICE personnel commanding the arrest of an individual, either to conduct removal proceedings or for removal.”
Whitmire further emphasized the financial necessity to make the amendment. “We have no alternative for Houston to survive,” he told the council.
The Texas governor’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, released a statement regarding the changes.
“Governor Abbott has been clear: cities in Texas must fully comply with state law and cooperate with federal immigration authorities to keep dangerous criminals off our streets. This vote is a step in the right direction after Houston leaders put public safety at risk with reckless policies that undermined law enforcement. Governor Abbott expects any policy HPD ultimately adopts to comply with the City’s certification that it would fully cooperate with DHS. Governor Abbott will continue to use every necessary tool to protect Texans,” he said.
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