Story perspectives

Houston Council Drops ICE Wait Rule, Safeguards $114 M Grants

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 22, 2026, the Houston City Council voted 13-4 to drop the 30-minute ICE wait rule and delete language calling ICE warrants civil and lacking probable cause.
Mayor John Whitmire said the change protects $114 million in state public-safety grants that Governor Greg Abbott threatened to withhold.
Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Houston over its immigration policy.
City Attorney Arturo Michel said the revision resulted from talks with the governor’s public-safety department.

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Story summary

On April 22, 2026, the Houston City Council voted 13-4 to drop the 30-minute ICE wait rule and delete language calling ICE warrants civil and lacking probable cause.
Mayor John Whitmire said the change protects $114 million in state public-safety grants that Governor Greg Abbott threatened to withhold.
Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Houston over its immigration policy.
City Attorney Arturo Michel said the revision resulted from talks with the governor’s public-safety department.