Kentucky prohibits sanctuary policies statewide. Under KRS 65A.020, enacted by HB 6 in 2024, no local government or public agency may adopt or enforce policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
House Bill 6 of the 2024 Regular Session enacted KRS 65A.020, expressly forbidding local governments, public agencies, public officials, and public employees from adopting or enforcing sanctuary policies. The statute requires compliance with federal immigration detainers, prohibits restrictions on sharing immigration status information with federal authorities, and mandates reasonable efforts to support federal immigration enforcement when requested. The Attorney General is empowered to investigate complaints, and noncompliant local governments may lose state grant funding. The law applies to cities, counties, urban-county governments, charter counties, consolidated local governments, and special districts.
Local agencies maintaining sanctuary policies face loss of state grant funds, civil action by the Attorney General, and removal proceedings for officials who knowingly violate the statute.
See how Burlington's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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