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H. B. No. 538 *HR26/R294SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Judiciary A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Yancey, Sanford, Hall
HOUSE BILL NO. 538
(As Sent to Governor)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-119, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO PROVIDE THAT THE LAW PROHIBITING SANCTUARY POLICIES IN THE 2
STATE INCLUDES ANY POLICY, ORDER, ORDINANCE, PRACTICE OR 3
PROCEDURE, THAT LIMITS, RESTRICTS, BANS OR INTERFERES WITH THE 4
ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS BY ANY PERSON; TO REQUIRE 5
CERTAIN GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND EMPLOYEES TO COOPERATE AND COMPLY 6
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 7
WHEN ENFORCING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ATTORNEY 8
GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE ANY VIOLATION OF THIS 9
SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 10
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 11
SECTION 1. Section 25-1-119, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 12
amended as follows: 13
25-1-119. (1) No * * * agency * * * or department * * * of 14
this state; county, municipality or any other political 15
subdivision of this state * * *; university, college, community 16
college or junior college * * *; or any agent, employee * * *, 17
officer or law enforcement agency thereof shall adopt, * * * 18
implement or have in effect a policy, order * * *, ordinance, 19
practice or procedure, that (a) limits, restricts, bans or 20
interferes with the enforcement of lawful federal immigration laws 21
by any person; ( * * *b) limits or prohibits any person from 22
H. B. No. 538 *HR26/R294SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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communicating or cooperating with federal agencies or officials to 23
verify or report the immigration status of any person; or 24
( * * *c) grants to any person the right to lawful presence or 25
status within the state, or a county * * *, municipality or any 26
other political subdivision of the state, or the campus of a 27
university, college, community college or junior college in 28
violation of state or federal law. 29
(2) Any policy, order * * *, ordinance practice or 30
procedure, adopted in violation of this section shall be invalid 31
and void from the date of its adoption or enactment and shall have 32
no force or effect. 33
(3) All agencies and departments of this state; counties, 34
municipalities and any other political subdivisions of this state; 35
universities, colleges, community colleges and junior colleges; 36
and all agents, employees, officers and law enforcement agencies 37
thereof shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible with the 38
federal government and other state and local governments in 39
enforcing lawful federal immigration laws, complying with any 40
immigration detainer request issued by the U.S. Immigration and 41
Customs Enforcement, and providing information on all aliens 42
within the state when requested by federal and other state and 43
local government agencies, departments and law enforcement 44
officials. 45
(4) The Attorney General shall investigate any agency or 46
department of this state; county, municipality or any other 47
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ST: Sanctuary policies; prohibit certain
government entities and employees from adopting
or interfering with federal immigration
enforcement.
political subdivision of this state; university, college, 48
community college or junior college; or any agent, employee, 49
officer or law enforcement agency thereof alleged to be in 50
violation of this section and upon finding a violation, the 51
Attorney General shall: 52
(i) Bring an action for declaratory or injunctive 53
relief to compel compliance; 54
(ii) Seek any other relief authorized by law to 55
enforce this section; and 56
(iii) Pursue enforcement against any state or 57
local official or employee to the fullest extent permitted by law. 58
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 59
and after July 1, 2026. 60