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Mississippi Legislature· HB 538Approved by Governor (Chapter 447)

Sanctuary policies; prohibit certain government entities and employees from adopting or interfering with federal immigration enforcement., the official text

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representatives Yancey, Sanford, Hall

House Bill 538

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-119, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,
TO PROVIDE THAT THE LAW PROHIBITING SANCTUARY POLICIES IN THE STATE INCLUDES
ANY POLICY, ORDER, ORDINANCE, PRACTICE OR PROCEDURE, THAT LIMITS, RESTRICTS,
BANS OR INTERFERES WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS BY ANY
PERSON; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND EMPLOYEES TO COOPERATE AND
COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHEN
ENFORCING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION; AND FOR RELATED
PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.  Section
25-1-119, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-1-119.  (1)  No * * *state agency * * *, or department * * *, of this state; county, municipality or any
other political subdivision of this state * * *, county, municipality,; university,
college, community college or junior college * * *,; or any agent, employee * * * or, officer or law enforcement
agency thereof shall adopt, * * * or implement or have in effect a
policy, order * * *or,
ordinance, practice or procedure, that (a) limits, restricts, bans or
interferes with the enforcement of lawful federal immigration laws by any
person; ( * * *ab)
limits or prohibits any person from communicating or cooperating with federal
agencies or officials to verify or report the immigration status of any person;
or ( * * *bc)
grants to any person the right to lawful presence or status within the state, or
a county * * * or,
municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, or the
campus of a university, college, community college or junior college in
violation of state or federal law.

(2)  Any policy, order * * *or, ordinance practice or procedure,
adopted in violation of this section shall be invalid and void from the date of
its adoption or enactment and shall have no force or effect.

(3)  All agencies and
departments of this state; counties, municipalities and any other political
subdivisions of this state; universities, colleges, community colleges and junior
colleges; and all agents, employees, officers and law enforcement agencies
thereof shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible with the federal
government and other state and local governments in enforcing lawful federal
immigration laws, complying with any immigration detainer request issued by the
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and providing information on all
aliens within the state when requested by federal and other state and local
government agencies, departments and law enforcement officials.

(4)  The Attorney General
shall investigate any agency or department of this state; county, municipality
or any other political subdivision of this state; university, college,
community college or junior college; or any agent, employee, officer or law
enforcement agency thereof alleged to be in violation of this section and upon
finding a violation, the Attorney General shall:

(i)  Bring an
action for declaratory or injunctive relief to compel compliance;

(ii)  Seek any
other relief authorized by law to enforce this section; and

(iii)  Pursue
enforcement against any state or local official or employee to the fullest
extent permitted by law.

SECTION 2.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.
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