Lawmaker wants to prevent ‘sanctuary cities' in Kentucky
'The federal government has a clear mandate from the American people to enforce our nation's immigration laws,' Rep. Jared Bauman of Louisville said. 'HB 344 will be our commonwealth's promise to uphold federal law and to support federal law enforcement agencies as they identify and detain illegal aliens who have violated our nation's sovereign borders. Above all, we are committed to supporting federal law enforcement agencies as they pursue illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes against innocent Kentuckians and pose an active safety threat to our communities.'
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Lawmaker wants to prevent 'sanctuary cities' in Kentucky
A Kentucky House of Representatives news release said Kentucky law enforcement agencies do not keep data related to people living in the country illegally, but federal agencies estimate that about 650,000 have criminal convictions or pending charges.
'Since January 20, federal agencies have increased ongoing repatriation efforts to enforce national immigration laws. In 2023, the federal government oversaw 142,580 repatriations of individuals from the United States to their home countries,' reads the release.
In 2024, the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit that advocates for immigration reform, estimated that 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, about 3.3% of the population.
The news release said House Bill 344 would prohibit state agencies, law enforcement agencies, and local governments from adopting sanctuary policies. The bill would also require law enforcement agencies to use all resources reasonably available to support federal immigration law.
The bill also allows county governments to make agreements with federal agencies for the detainment of people living in the country illegally and would wave sovereign, governmental, and qualified immunity for any local government or law enforcement agency that releases an illegal alien who subsequently commits a violent offense, permitting the victim or victim's family to file a civil action for compensatory damages and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees.
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'We have a responsibility to the people of Kentucky to ensure that our government enforces federal law,' Bauman added. 'When local governments or state agencies establish sanctuary policies to undermine law enforcement, it signals to our citizens that our government does not take public safety seriously, and it suggests to criminals that they can act without consequence. We must ensure that federal agents are supported when operating in our communities. Collaboration and communication between local, state, and federal agencies will make the repatriation process safer for everyone involved, including our law enforcement officers and community members.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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