Texas Redirects $3.4 Billion to Immigration Enforcement: What Non-Citizens in Houston Must Know

In 2025, the Texas Legislature approved a sweeping $3.4 billion budget focused on immigration enforcement. This marks a dramatic shift in strategy—away from border wall construction and toward aggressive interior operations targeting non-citizens across the state. For immigrants living in Houston, this change brings new risks and legal challenges, especially for those with prior criminal charges or pending immigration cases.

Texas Immigration Enforcement Budget: What’s Changing

The new budget allocates billions to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Military Department, empowering them to assist federal immigration authorities like ICE in conducting arrests far beyond the border.

According to The Texas Tribune, this funding supports expanded patrols, mobile detention units, and strike teams operating in urban centers—including Houston, Dallas, and Austin. The initiative is part of Operation Lone Star 2.0, a state-led effort to enforce federal immigration laws under President Trump’s renewed deportation agenda.

Additionally, VisaVerge reports that Texas is cutting border wall funding to prioritize deportations, signaling a shift toward interior enforcement and criminal targeting.

How This Affects Non-Citizens in Houston

For immigrants in Houston, the implications are serious. Texas DPS officers and National Guard troops now have the authority to make immigration arrests during routine traffic stops, DWI investigations, and criminal sweeps.

Here’s what that means:

• DWI charges may now trigger immigration detention—even for first-time offenders.

• Interior raids are expanding into cities, not just border towns.

• Local law enforcement cooperation with ICE is now mandated under new legislation.

This shift puts undocumented immigrants, visa holders, and green card applicants at greater risk of detention and deportation. Even minor infractions like driving without a license or a single DWI can lead to removal proceedings.

For more on how state enforcement is expanding, see CBS News coverage.

DWI and Immigration: A Dangerous Intersection

Texas has long treated Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) as a serious criminal offense. But under the new enforcement strategy, a DWI conviction can now have immigration consequences beyond fines or jail time.

Non-citizens charged with DWI may face:

• Visa revocation or denial of renewal

• Green card ineligibility due to “moral character” concerns

• ICE detention and expedited removal

• Bars to reentry if they leave the U.S.

Even if the charge is reduced or dismissed, the arrest itself can trigger immigration scrutiny. According to Immigration Impact, federal agencies increasingly view DWI arrests as red flags in immigration cases.

What Non-Citizens Should Do Right Now

If you’re a non-citizen living in Houston, here are four steps you should take to protect your immigration status:

1. Avoid legal trouble—especially DWIs.Texas DPS is actively flagging immigrants during traffic stops. Don’t give them a reason to detain you.

2. Consult an immigration attorney immediately if arrested.Do not accept plea deals without understanding the immigration consequences. A criminal defense attorney may not be aware of how a conviction affects your immigration case.

3. Keep documentation of your legal status and community ties.Letters from employers, family members, and religious leaders can support your case in both criminal and immigration proceedings.

4. Know your rights during encounters with law enforcement.You are not required to disclose your immigration status without legal counsel present. For a helpful guide, visit Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Why Legal Representation Matters More Than Ever

With Texas acting as a “force multiplier” for federal deportation efforts, immigrants need attorneys who understand both criminal and immigration law. A single DWI or misdemeanor could now trigger removal proceedings—even if charges are dropped.

As a Houston immigration attorney, I work closely with criminal defense lawyers to protect my clients from the fallout of these aggressive enforcement tactics. Every case is unique, and the right legal strategy can mean the difference between staying in the U.S. or facing deportation.

If you or a loved one is facing legal trouble, don’t wait. Contact my office for a confidential consultation. We’ll assess your case, explain your options, and fight to protect your future.

Conclusion

Texas’s $3.4 billion investment in immigration enforcement is already reshaping how non-citizens are treated across the state. For Houston residents, this means heightened risk during everyday encounters with law enforcement.

Whether you’re undocumented, applying for a green card, or here on a visa, understanding your rights and securing legal representation is essential.

Stay informed. Stay protected. And remember—your immigration status is too important to leave to chance.