As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Dallas faces pressure from Governor Abbott to change immigration policies, risking millions in funding.<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON, Texas \u2014 Less than two months before the first matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> in North Texas, a high-stakes clash over immigration enforcement policies in Dallas is putting millions in funding tied to the global event on the line.<\/p>\n At the center of it is a warning from Greg Abbott to Mayor Eric Johnson. The Governor is calling on the city to change its policies, saying it limits police cooperation with federal immigration authorities<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a letter to Dallas, Abbott says the city could be in breach of its agreement with the state, jeopardizing roughly 432 million in public safety grants, along with more than $55 million allocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth region for World Cup security.<\/p>\n \u201cI look at those issues as something between Dallas and the governor\u2019s office,\u201d Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said.<\/p>\n While Dallas faces mounting pressure, the host city of Arlington finds itself in the middle, preparing to host nine matches. Arlington will host more soccer matches for FIFA than any city in the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a statement, the City of Dallas said it remains committed to complying with all applicable state and federal laws\u2026while continuing to prioritize public safety and ensuring officers have the resources and support they need.<\/p>\n Despite the political tension, Arlington leaders say their focus remains on coordination and relationships across agencies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe treasure our relationships with the governor\u2019s office, with Dallas, with all of the North Texas communities that are participating in FIFA,\u201d Jim Ross said.<\/p>\n