Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed a review of all state grants to entities operating Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, following DFW's confirmation that it abandoned plans to install Islamic ablution washing stations. Abbott also referred both airports to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) for investigation over what he termed illegal religious favouritism at taxpayer-funded facilities.
Governor's Directive and Rationale
In a statement posted on X, Abbott wrote: "Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others. DFW plans to install Islamic wudu washing facilities are illegal. I've directed a review of all state grants to both airports for possible revocation, and referred DFW & IAH to USDOT for investigation. Texas will not allow illegal religious discrimination at taxpayer-funded facilities."
The review encompasses all state grants to the entities managing DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with potential revocation and denial of future funding on the table. Abbott's action came after DFW announced it had scrapped the proposal, which had drawn significant public attention.
DFW's Proposal and Withdrawal
DFW told Fox News Digital that it had been evaluating a proposal to place ablution washing stations on the pre-security side of Terminal D, the airport's international terminal. The airport said it brought forward its review after the plan drew significant public attention.
"While that evaluation was planned, the airport accelerated its review due to elevated public interest this week and has determined not to proceed with the project as it would not deliver the originally anticipated operational benefits," the airport said in a statement.
A regulatory filing submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on July 31 had registered the project at a preliminary cost of $300,000, with completion expected before the end of the year. The filing listed the funding source as private, which DFW later said was an error made by its outside design firm.
Cost and Funding Clarifications
DFW clarified that the actual cost, had the project gone ahead, would have been closer to $120,000, and that airport funds, not taxpayer money, would have covered the work. The airport stressed that the project had not received final approval at any stage.
DFW also defended its funding structure, stating that it does not draw on taxpayer dollars for its operations, relying instead on income from sources such as parking and concessions. The airport said all its projects follow the same internal approval process, weighing operational benefits, customer service impact, risk, and cost before any work is greenlit.
Political Pressure and Broader Context
Abbott's intervention adds political pressure to what DFW described as a routine internal evaluation that never advanced beyond the proposal stage. The governor's referral to USDOT could lead to a federal investigation into both airports' practices.
This development follows a separate report by Legit.ng that the US government launched a voluntary departure scheme offering undocumented immigrants free travel and a $2,600 cash payment to leave the country via the CBP Home Mobile App. Under that programme, non-criminal illegal aliens who register their intent to depart and clear vetting will be temporarily deprioritised by ICE for detention or enforcement action ahead of their exit.
