The ordinance at the center of the dispute specifically prohibits Houston Police from stopping, arresting, or continuing to detain an individual based on an ICE administrative warrant while working in the field. Paxton contends that policy directly conflicts with Senate Bill 4, passed during the 2017 Legislative Session, which bars local entities from adopting, enforcing, or endorsing any policy that prohibits or materially limits enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Named defendants include the City of Houston, Mayor Whitmire, city councilmembers, and a number of other defendants. The suit seeks to permanently enjoin and invalidate the ordinance and extend legal protection to law enforcement officers who cooperate with federal immigration officials.
"I will not allow any local official to push sanctuary policies that make our communities less safe," Paxton said. "Under my watch, no Texas city will be a safe harbor for illegals. The Texas Legislature passed strong legislation that specifically stops the type of lawless ordinance that Houston adopted. Houston has no authority to ignore the Constitution and the laws duly enacted by the Legislature. I'm calling on Houston to immediately repeal this ordinance."
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