The Harris County immigrant legal services program is on hold after the Texas Supreme Court issued a temporary order Friday, June 26. The order blocks county officials from funding legal aid for immigrants facing deportation cases while the state’s lawsuit continues.
Texas Supreme Court Pauses Harris County Immigrant Legal Services
The Texas Supreme Court said Harris County must stop disbursing funds tied to the program “until further order.” The court did not make a final ruling on whether the program is legal.
Instead, the order keeps the program paused while a state appeals court continues reviewing the case. The court said there is serious doubt about whether Harris County has the authority to operate the program.
The case centers on the county’s Immigrant Legal Services Fund. The program supports nonprofit organizations that help eligible residents navigate immigration court and deportation proceedings.
Paxton Lawsuit Challenges County Funding
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Harris County in November 2025. His office argued that the county improperly used more than $1.3 million in public funds for private legal services.
Paxton’s lawsuit claims the program violates the Texas Constitution’s ban on certain gifts of public funds. His office argues the county has no legal authority to spend taxpayer money on deportation defense.
Harris County officials have defended the program. They argue that legal representation helps residents follow court processes and supports due process in a complex federal system.
The county has also said the program includes oversight rules. Those include eligibility checks, monthly reporting, invoices, audits and county review before payments are approved.
Earlier Courts Allowed the Program to Continue
Before Friday’s order, Harris County had won key rulings in lower courts. District judges rejected Paxton’s efforts to block the program.
The 15th Court of Appeals also denied the state’s request for emergency relief earlier this year. In that ruling, the court said the state had not shown that the program caused actual harm to Harris County residents or Texas.
The appeals court also noted that Texas has recognized legal help for low-income people in civil cases as a public service. Immigration court is civil, not criminal, although deportation cases can carry major consequences for families.
The Texas Supreme Court’s new order changes the program’s status for now. However, it does not settle the larger constitutional question.
What the Program Does
Harris County created the Immigrant Legal Services Fund in 2020. The county initially allocated $2.5 million to help people facing immigration proceedings.
The program has worked with organizations including BakerRipley, the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, Justice for All Immigrants, KIND and the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Service.
According to court findings reported by The Texas Tribune, the program has helped 373 people over five years. Many closed cases ended in removal or voluntary departure from the United States.
Supporters say the program helps people understand their rights and responsibilities in immigration court. Opponents say county tax dollars should not fund legal defense in deportation cases.
Court Battle Still Continues
The pause leaves the program’s future uncertain. The Texas Supreme Court ordered the appeals court to continue reviewing the case.
That means Harris County’s immigrant legal services funding could remain frozen until the courts issue further direction. A final ruling could affect similar local programs across Texas.
For immigrant families and service providers, the immediate impact is clear. Legal aid tied to the Harris County program cannot move forward while the temporary order remains in place.