http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4012578.html

June 29, 2006, 2:15PM
Bill would require Houston police to enforce immigration laws

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Houston police would have to start enforcing federal immigration laws or potentially lose millions in crime-fighting money under a local lawmaker's measure that passed the House today.

An appropriations bill that cleared the House contains an amendment by Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, that would cut off federal law enforcement funds to cities that have what Culberson characterizes as "sanctuary policies" for illegal immigrants.

The measure will not become law unless it clears the Senate and is signed by President Bush.

Houston — which announced an $18 million federal crime-fighting grant about the time the bill passed the House — meets Culberson's definition because police do not ask the immigration status of residents they stop or detain