Three major Texas cities, Austin, Dallas, and Houston, have revised policies governing cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to cut state funding tied to public safety grants.

The changes followed warnings from the governor’s office that roughly $200 million in combined funding could be at risk if cities did not comply with state requirements related to cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In Austin, officials updated police guidance after being informed that approximately $2.5 million in grant funding could be withheld. The revised policy instructs officers who encounter administrative immigration warrants to contact ICE when operationally feasible to verify information and coordinate response timing.

The policy also directs officers not to allow immigration-related coordination to unreasonably delay other duties, with supervisors given discretion to determine what constitutes an appropriate time frame based on staffing and public safety conditions.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the adjustments are intended to maintain focus on core policing responsibilities and public safety priorities.

The state later lifted its funding hold after the policy change. A spokesperson for Abbott said the administration expects continued compliance moving forward.

Dallas, which faced a potential loss of $32 million in funding, also revised its policy by removing language that previously discouraged officers from extending detentions for immigration-related inquiries. The updated guidance allows officers to coordinate with federal authorities when appropriate while maintaining that immigration checks should not be the sole purpose of enforcement actions.

Houston implemented similar changes after being identified as facing the largest potential funding exposure, with more than $110 million in grants at risk.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said public safety remains the city’s top priority and expressed support for cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Local officials in all three cities had previously pushed back on the state’s threat, arguing that their policies were consistent with state law and focused on resource limitations and local policing responsibilities.

Abbott’s office has said cities in Texas are expected to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities as part of broader efforts to address public safety and remove individuals involved in criminal activity.