Arkansas Sanctuary City Prohibition Statute

Arkansas Code 14-1-104 et seq., enacted by Act 1042 of 2021, bars municipalities and counties from adopting policies that restrict communication or cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Local governments cannot prohibit officers from inquiring about immigration status, sharing information with federal agencies, or honoring lawful detainer requests. The Attorney General may investigate complaints, and noncompliant subdivisions may be declared sanctuary jurisdictions, triggering loss of state discretionary funds. The law preempts conflicting local policies and applies uniformly across Arkansas. State agencies may withhold funds until compliance is restored.

A subdivision found to maintain sanctuary policies may lose state discretionary funding and grants until the policy is rescinded; officials may face civil enforcement.