Dallas Police Revises ICE Cooperation Policy Under Gov. Abbott's $90M FIFA Funding Threat

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux announced on April 23–24, 2026 that the department would revise its immigration enforcement policy (General Order 315.04) after Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened to pull nearly $90 million in state funding — including more than $55 million in FIFA World Cup security grants (the tournament less than two months away) and over $32 million in public safety grants. The revised policy removed a provision that barred officers from prolonging a person's detention to hold them for ICE agents, and now allows officers to ask detained or arrested individuals about their immigration status. City Manager Kimberly Tolbert wrote a letter to Abbott stating the revisions 'further clarify DPD's continued compliance with state law regarding immigration enforcement.' Key boundaries retained in the revised policy: officers may still not stop or contact people solely to determine immigration status; officers may not ask victims, witnesses, or people reporting crimes about their immigration status unless necessary for an investigation. Texas Rep. Venton Jones (D-Dallas) defended the original policy as protecting 'constitutional rights' and stated it did not prohibit federal cooperation. Chief Comeaux emphasized: 'Our mission has not changed and DPD exists to protect the safety of everyone in Dallas, and we will not stop individuals only to determine their immigration status.' Abbott's directive contended DPD's prior order violated Texas Senate Bill 4 and SB 11, laws requiring local agencies to cooperate with ICE on criminal immigration holds. The Dallas capitulation represents a significant victory for Abbott's campaign to end Texas sanctuary city-style policies and sets a precedent for other major Texas municipalities facing similar federal and state funding pressure.