The attorney general's office said SB 4, passed during the 2017 legislative session, bars a local entity from adopting, enforcing, or endorsing a policy that "prohibits or materially limits the enforcement of federal immigration laws."
According to the release, the Houston ordinance "specifically prevents Houston Police from stopping, making arrests, or continuing detention of an individual based upon an ICE administrative warrant while they are working in the field." The office characterized the measure as "an egregious affront to SB 4."
The suit names the City of Houston, Mayor Whitmire, city councilmembers, and other defendants, the office said. It seeks to "permanently repeal the ordinance and extend legal protection to all law enforcement cooperating with federal officials to enforce immigration laws."
"I will not allow any local official to push sanctuary policies that make our communities less safe," Paxton said in the release. "Under my watch, no Texas city will be a safe harbor for illegals."
Paxton said the Legislature "passed strong legislation that specifically stops the type of lawless ordinance that Houston adopted." He added: "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."
The release did not identify the court in which the suit was filed or provide a docket number. Houston officials are not quoted in the release.