State vs. Local Power

Houston officials weakened a city ordinance limiting cooperation with ICE after Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut World Cup security grants. City leaders voted to roll back parts of an ordinance that had limited local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The change came after Abbott warned he would withhold state grants for World Cup security if Houston did not ease the restrictions. Officials said the adjustment seeks to balance public-safety coordination with concerns about immigrant trust in city services.