HOUSTON — John Whitmire said he is pursuing negotiations with Greg Abbott over a dispute involving Houston’s immigration enforcement policy, citing a decades-long political history as a basis for direct engagement instead of immediate legal action.
Whitmire made the remarks during an appearance on a city-backed podcast hosted by Owen Conflenti, as tensions continue between Houston officials and state leadership over a city ordinance limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Abbott has called on Houston to repeal the policy and warned that the city could lose more than $110 million in public safety grant funding if it does not comply.
Houston City Council initially approved the ordinance in a 12–5 vote, removing a requirement for police officers to wait up to 30 minutes for ICE agents when individuals are held on civil immigration detainers and clarifying that administrative warrants alone do not justify detention.
Following pressure from the governor’s office, the council later amended the policy in a 13–4 vote, modifying provisions related to police interaction with federal immigration authorities. Whitmire said the revisions reflected a negotiated compromise.
The dispute has prompted legal action from Ken Paxton and protests at City Hall, as officials debate the scope of local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration matters.
Whitmire said his past experience as a state senator, during which he frequently opposed Abbott, informs his approach to negotiations. He said he aims to balance public safety, community concerns and the city’s financial interests.
Separately, Whitmire’s podcast, “901 Bagby: Inside the Mayor’s Office,” has drawn scrutiny over its reported use of about $60,000 in public funds, according to records cited by Houston Public Media.