Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Harris County for allocating $1.3 million in taxpayer funds to organizations that oppose deportations.
The lawsuit targets the county’s recent decision to distribute money to immigration advocacy groups. The legal challenge comes as President Trump prepares to implement stricter immigration enforcement policies. Paxton argues the funding violates Texas constitutional provisions against using public money for private purposes.
“We must stop the left-wing radicals who are robbing Texans to prevent illegals from being deported by the Trump Administration,” Paxton said in a statement. “Beyond just being blatantly unconstitutional, this is evil and wicked.”
The Harris County Commissioners Court approved the $1,344,751 allocation in a 4-1 vote. The funds will be allocated to five organizations that focus on providing legal services to immigrants facing deportation proceedings.
Recipients include the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, Justice for All Immigrants, and Kids in Need of Defense. The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, as well as BakerRipley, also received funding.
Paxton’s lawsuit contends these expenditures serve no legitimate public purpose. The attorney general describes the recipient organizations as “radical open-border activist groups” in the filing.
“Millions upon millions of illegals invaded America during the last administration, and they must be sent back to where they came from,” Paxton added.
The Texas Constitution prohibits government entities from making gifts of public funds to private individuals or groups. Paxton argues the county’s allocation constitutes an unconstitutional subsidy for legal defense services.
Harris County officials have not yet responded to the lawsuit.