Despite canceling a meeting on its immigration ordinance, Mayor John Whitmire is optimistic he has the votes to change it, but some on the council aren't so sure.
ByDespite canceling a meeting on its immigration ordinance, Mayor John Whitmire is optimistic he has the votes to change it, but some on the council aren't so sure. Whitmire said a Monday deadline, and millions of frozen state grant money triggered him to call a special meeting on Friday.
However, it was canceled just hours before anyone arrived.Special city council meeting to discuss Houston police immigration policy postponed, mayor says On Friday, ABC13 asked Whitmire if he had moved the meeting to Wednesday because he didn't have the votes. "I'm optimistic that we're coming together," Whitmire explained. "A product that will protect the residents, protect the financing." Whitmire said his administration, council, and state leaders are working on new language for its immigration ordinance after the governor gave the city more time. The ordinance that passed last week doesn't stop Houston police from calling ICE if they encounter someone with an administrative warrant. However, it removed the requirement for an officer to wait 30 minutes for an ICE agent to arrive. Now, once HPD's call is complete, the officer can leave. The change was supported by Whitmire until Governor Greg Abbott said it violated an agreement the city signed to receive roughly $114 million in public safety grant money.Nearly $115M in public safety funds frozen after city's immigration policy change: Mayor's office"We're getting very close with new language that I think protects Houston residents, protects our finances, and will show the governor that we are following state law," Whitmire said. Whitmire wouldn't share specifics with ABC13 as to what the changes could be. Councilmember Alejandra Salinas, who introduced the ICE ordinance, said she hasn't received specifics either. "I actually emailed the mayor's office last night, and asked for that language was told that we'll get it when it's done," Salinas said. Instead of changes, Salinas wants legal challenges. On Thursday, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he's taking the city to court over the ordinance. "We need to defend ourselves in court," Salinas explained. "We don't have a choice. We must stand up and defend what we passed." Whitmire told ABC13 that legal action is too expensive and won't work. That's why he said he's spending the weekend working with council and state leaders on changes that will allow $114 million to be returned to police and fire. "We have no option but to return the state funding for public safety," Whitmire said. "It's just that critical." The immigration ordinance was passed by a vote of 12 to 5. If Whitmire were to repeal the vote, council members said he would need a supermajority, or six others, to change their vote. If he wants to amend it, they said he would only need three votes. The council is expected to take the item up on Wednesday.
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