The Houston office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) today condemned Governor Greg Abbott’s threat to withdraw $110 million in state public safety funding, a retaliation following Houston city council’s ordinance limiting Houston Police Department’s interaction with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a 12-5 vote, Houston City Council passed an ordinance clarifying that ICE administrative warrants alone cannot justify prolonged detention and revokes a former policy that allowed for HPD officers to wait up to 30 minutes for ICE agents to respond.
The Governor’s Public Safety Office informed the City of Houston that the measure violates Mayor Whitmire’s signed certification in which the city pledges to fully cooperate with federal agencies. The certification included grant funding for Houston’s safety and emergency service operations. A deadline of April 20th has been set, demanding the city repeal and not enforce the ordinance. Failure to capitulate to the state’s demand may require the city to repay the grant’s full amount, approximately $110 million.
CAIR Houston views Gov. Abbott’s withdrawal of public safety funds as another act of political coercion, one that seeks to bolster state power over Houston’s residents by undermining constitutional rights.
CAIR Houston Operations Director Imran Ghani said:
“The governor is resorting to bullying and intimidation because our city leaders listened to Houston residents’ appeal to limit HPD’s coordination with ICE. CAIR Texas stands with those principled members of Houston’s leadership who supported the ordinance. Like many cities across the country, Houston wants ICE out of our communities. It is time for more of our elected officials to reflect the view of the people.”
The Houston immigrant community deserves to live, work, and worship without worry of safety and wellbeing infringed upon by its elected state officials. The city passage of the ordinance is a reaffirmation that the Fourth Amendment protections apply to all regardless of status.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Director, Imran Ghani, [email protected], 713-922-5270; CAIR Texas Civic Engagement Organizer, Sameeha Rizvi, [email protected], 512-893-1371; CAIR National Communications Director, Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager, Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]