The council approved the revised policy in a 13-4 vote on Wednesday.
HOUSTON — Houston City Council on Wednesday approved a revised version of the city’s controversial immigration ordinance, a decision that could determine the fate of roughly $114 million in public safety funding.
Councilmembers voted 13-4 on the measure after hours of debate and public input, with the revised language focused on how Houston police cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Councilmember Abbie Kamin motioned to delay the vote by a week, but that motion was voted down.
What changed in the revised ordinance
The updated ordinance refines language around field encounters, ICE administrative warrants and reporting requirements for immigration-related policing.
It states that Houston police will comply with all local, state and federal laws and can temporarily detain someone for as long as reasonably necessary. It also makes clear that nothing in the policy prohibits cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Mayor John Whitmire’s office has said the revised language creates a clearer path to restoring public safety funding that had been put at risk.
$114 million in funding at stake
The vote comes after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to pull roughly $114 million in public safety funding if the city did not revise the ordinance.
City leaders say that funding supports a wide range of efforts, including police operations, domestic violence response, human trafficking investigations and homicide cases.
“They have the funds … $114 million for HPD to carry out their duties,” Whitmire said.
The city has also warned it does not have the resources to replace that funding if it is permanently lost.
Debate over timing and policy changes
Some councilmembers raised concerns about the timing of the vote, noting they received the revised ordinance less than 24 hours before Wednesday’s meeting.
“It is certainly a crunch on time,” said Councilmember Alejandra Salinas. “And it will make it difficult for us to engage a community and activists and experts to understand whether this is, in fact, the best policy moving forward.”
Others argued it was important to move forward with a compromise given the funding at risk.
“This money that has been frozen is for public safety, and we really need to recognize that there is a bigger picture here that we need to stay focused on,” said Councilmember Amy Peck.
“I think it’s irresponsible if we’re only allowing the governor’s office to dictate to us how we lead the city,” said Councilmember Tiffany Thomas.
Public input and community response
More than 80 people spoke during public comment ahead of the vote, with many urging councilmembers to find common ground.
The debate reflects broader concerns about balancing local policy decisions with state requirements, including Senate Bill 4, which prohibits policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Background: How the city got here
The controversy stems from an earlier ordinance passed on a 12-5 vote that changed how the Houston Police Department handles immigration warrants.
That measure quickly drew pushback from state leaders, who argued it conflicted with state law.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also filed a lawsuit against the city, challenging the ordinance.
A city source previously told KHOU 11 the revised language largely undoes parts of the original policy.
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