Overview
- The City Council, which voted 13-4 on Wednesday to amend the measure, acted after Gov. Greg Abbott warned Houston could lose or repay about $110–$114 million in public safety grants.
- The revisions strike the word “only” from detention limits, add that officers may hold someone for “other legitimate purposes” found during a stop, and delete language stating ICE administrative warrants are civil and not probable cause for a criminal arrest.
- HPD’s new order Thursday directs officers to call a sergeant, contact ICE, and wait a “reasonable amount of time” if agents plan to respond, restoring much of the pre-ordinance practice.
- Funding remained on hold Wednesday as Abbott demanded HPD’s formal assent, though Whitmire said late Thursday that the governor’s office approved HPD’s order and would allow the grants to continue.
- Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit under SB4 and warnings from civil-rights groups about unconstitutional detentions keep legal risks high, even as Houston counts on the grants for police overtime and World Cup security.