Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB538: Sanctuary policies; prohibit certain government entities and employees from adopting or interfering with federal immigration enforcement.
Status: Signed into law, April 8, 2026
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.
What the bill says
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.
From the enrolled text, April 2, 2026:
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 * * * 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 shall adopt, * * * implement or have in effect a policy, order * * *, ordinance, practice or procedure, that (a) limits, restricts, bans or interferes with the enforcement of lawful federal immigration laws by any person; ( * * *b) limits or prohibits any person from *HR26/R294SG* H. B. No. 538 ~ …