The ordinance at issue prohibits Houston Police from stopping, arresting or continuing to detain an individual based on an ICE administrative warrant while working in the field, the attorney general's office said.
Paxton contends that policy 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, according to the release. The suit seeks to permanently enjoin and invalidate the ordinance and to 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."
Paxton said the state legislature "passed strong legislation that specifically stops the type of lawless ordinance that Houston adopted." He added that "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," Paxton said.
The allegations have not been tested in court. Houston officials have not publicly responded in the materials released by the attorney general.