Gov. Greg Abbott’s office has put Dallas on notice: repeal police department rules that limit routine cooperation with federal immigration authorities or risk losing more than $32 million in state public safety grants.
The warning arrived in a letter sent Thursday, April 16, from Andrew Friedrichs, executive director of the Governor’s Public Safety Office, to Mayor Eric Johnson. The letter gives the city until April 23 to act or face withholding of $32.1 million in fiscal year 2026 grants already awarded for police and fire operations. It also flags potential loss of up to $55 million in additional World Cup public safety funding tied to Dallas hosting matches next year.
At issue is a Dallas Police Department general order that directs officers not to prolong traffic stops or detentions solely to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to take custody on civil detainers. State officials say this policy conflicts with a certification the city signed in 2025 promising full cooperation with federal immigration enforcement as a condition of the grants.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatens to cut $200 million in funding from major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin due to their ICE policies. What does this mean for local safety and immigration? #TexasPolitics #ICE
— BHIVE Texas Bee (@TexanNews654) April 17, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/IxhD8OHimU #bhivelabs
The move is part of a broader push by Abbott against similar policies in Houston and Austin. Houston received a warning earlier this week over roughly $110 million in funding; Austin was told it could lose about $2.5 million.
The threatened grants help fund critical local law enforcement and emergency services. No injuries or other immediate impacts were reported.
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The move is part of a broader push by Abbott against similar policies in Houston and Austin.
The move is part of a broader push by Abbott against similar policies in Houston and Austin.
