Houston’s mayor announced plans to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement following Democratic victories that shift statewide power in Texas.
City lawyers are reviewing detainers, information-sharing, and joint task-force arrangements that immigrant advocates have long criticized.
Supporters say the move aligns local policing with community trust after a midterm where Hispanic turnout proved decisive.
Opponents argued the policy will hinder enforcement against serious offenders and invited an immediate fight with federal authorities.
The White House has previously threatened funding consequences for jurisdictions that restrict cooperation.
With Democrats ascending in Austin, Houston officials believe they now have political cover that did not exist under unified Republican control.
Civil-rights groups called the announcement a first step and pressed for written rules, training, and transparency reports.
The dispute is likely to become a national template fight over federalism and immigration in the new divided-government era.
