Houston Backs Down on ICE Rule, Cites Funding Threat

0:00It's April 22nd. You're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. Houston just backed down on a new city rule after Governor Greg Abbott threatened to yank $110 million in public safety grants. The ordinance, past two weeks back, stopped police from holding folks for up to 30 minutes on ice administrative warrants if agents didn't show. City leaders amended it Wednesday to keep the cash flowing for policing during the World Cup this June. Houston's attorney general Ken Paxton sued the mayor and council, claiming it broke a 2017 state law against limiting immigration enforcement. Abbott tied the grants directly to full cooperation with federal agents, putting Houston's security prep on the line. Mayor John Whitmire called the fix a must-to-surviv and patrol neighborhoods ahead of the big games were storing the $114 million. But council member Abby Cameron voted no on the change, slamming it as caving to state bullying and wondering what comes next.

1:01This isn't just Houston advocating Dallas and Austin too, both Democratic cities with similar policies. Dallas plans a response by Thursday, while Austin's mayor says their setup follows state law and cutting nearly $3 million would hurt. Trauma aid for cops and assault victims. Tensions run high as federal immigration crackdowns ramp up under the Trump administration, putting these Texas cities to pick between local rules and stay funding in a tight spot.