Legislation has been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly by Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, that would prohibit local governments from obstructing the repatriation or identification of criminal illegal aliens within the state, putting an end to so-called “Sanctuary Cities.”
“The federal government has a clear mandate from the American people to enforce our nation’s immigration laws,” Bauman said. “House Bill 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.”
While Kentucky law enforcement agencies do not keep data related to illegal aliens, including encounters or population estimates, federal agencies estimate that there are more than 650,000 illegal alien residents with criminal convictions or pending charges living within the United States. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Jan. 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.
HB 344 would prohibit state agencies, law enforcement agencies and local governments from adopting sanctuary policies regarding aliens unlawfully present in the United States. Additionally, this measure would require law enforcement agencies to use all resources reasonably available to support the enforcement of federal immigration law and prevent state and local governments and their associated entities from adopting policies that restrict law enforcement from efficiently supporting federal agencies operating within the state for immigration enforcement.
Further provisions would authorize county governments to enter into agreements with federal agencies for the detainment of illegal aliens 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.
“We have a responsibility to the people of Kentucky to ensure that our government enforces federal law,” Bauman added.
The measure has not yet been assigned to a committee.
Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, has filed a bill to prohibit local governments from obstructing the repatriation or identification of criminal illegal aliens within the state. (LRC photo)
