Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Harris County, claiming the county unlawfully directed over $1.3 million in taxpayer funds to nonprofit organizations that provide legal defense for undocumented immigrants.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved the allocation by a 4–1 vote, sending funds to several immigrant-assistance groups, including the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, Justice for All Immigrants, RAICES, BakerRipley, and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND).
Alleged Violation of the Texas Constitution
The lawsuit argues that these payments violate the Texas Constitution, which prohibits public funds from being used for private purposes.
Paxton’s office stated that the money was used to support deportation defense for noncitizens — an activity the state claims serves no legitimate public purpose.
“The people of Texas should not be forced to subsidize legal defenses for those who violate our laws,” Paxton said in a statement. “Harris County’s actions are unlawful and irresponsible.”
Harris County’s Position
As of now, Harris County officials have not issued a detailed public response to the lawsuit. However, local leaders who supported the measure have previously argued that such funding helps ensure due process rights and strengthens community trust by assisting residents facing complex immigration cases.
The county will now have to defend the legality of its allocation decisions in court.
Legal and Political Implications
The case raises broader questions about local governments’ authority to fund immigration-related programs and the constitutional limits on spending taxpayer money.
If the court sides with the state, Harris County could be ordered to revoke or repay the funds, and the ruling could set a precedent for other Texas counties considering similar initiatives.
Conclusion
The lawsuit against Harris County marks another chapter in Texas’s ongoing political and legal battle over immigration policy and state authority.
While Paxton’s office views the funding as an unlawful misuse of tax dollars, supporters of the program see it as a step toward fairness and justice for vulnerable immigrants.
The court’s decision will likely determine how far local governments can go in funding immigration-related legal aid in the future.
