The Brief<\/p>\n
The Texas Supreme Court granted a “temporary relief” motion filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton against Harris County’s Immigrant Legal Services Fund” (ILSF).<\/p>\n
AG Paxton argued the program unlawfully gives public funds to private organizations.<\/p>\n
One Harris County leader says Commissioners Court will fight the lawsuit.<\/p>\n
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The Texas Supreme Court has issued a pause on Harris County’s reported $1.3 million funding<\/a> for a program that supports immigrants facing deportation.<\/p>\n Immigration in Texas: Harris County defense funds paused<\/p>\n What we know<\/p>\n The state Supreme Court granted a “temporary relief” motion filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton against Harris County’s Immigrant Legal Services Fund” (ILSF)<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Friday’s order<\/a>, while the court didn’t make a final decision and the records they had were “limited,” they do believe that there is “serious doubt about the constitutionality” of the program. In addition, the court says it’s not clear if Harris County “has constitutional or statutory authority to conduct the program.”<\/p>\n For now, Harris County is not allowed to use any funding in connection with the ILSF or the Immigration Resource Hotline.<\/p>\n The court order says they are not rejecting the County’s defenses, and they are confident that the court of appeals will consider those defenses.<\/p>\n The backstory<\/p>\n