Signed by the Governor: Mississippi Law to Ban Sanctuary Cities Actually Doesn’t

JACKSON, Miss. (Apr. 4, 2017) – Last week, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill that many have claimed will “outlaw sanctuary cities” in the state. However, a closer reading of the bill shows it does not. Sen. Sean Tindell (R-Gulfport) sponsored Senate Bill 2719 (SB2710). As originally introduced, it would have banned so-called sanctuary policies on a…

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Vetoed: Virginia Governor Rejects Bill to Prohibit “Sanctuary City” Policies

RICHMOND, Va. (March 28, 2017) – Yesterday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would have prohibited so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with enforcement of some federal immigration laws. A coalition of 10 Republican delegates sponsored House Bill 2000 (HB2000). The legislation would have prohibited any local government from implementing sanctuary city policies.…

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Maryland House Passes “Sanctuary State” Bill; Future Uncertain after Veto Threat

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 20, 2017) – Today, the Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill to withdraw state participation from the enforcement of most federal immigration laws. Passage into law is far from certain, as the Governor has promised to veto the bill and the 83-55 vote in the House is two short of a veto-override.…

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California Bill to End Support for Most Federal Immigration Enforcement Moves Forward

SACRAMENTO (Mar. 13, 2017) – Today, an important California Senate Committee passed a bill to withdraw state resources from the enforcement of most federal immigration laws.  Passage into law will likely have the effect of further nullifying those federal acts in practice. Introduced by Sen. President Kevin de Leon and four co-sponsors, Senate Bill 54 (SB54),…

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Colorado House Committee Kills Bill to Prohibit “Sanctuary City” Policies

DENVER, Colo. (Feb. 28, 2017) – Last week, a Colorado House committee killed a bill that would have hindered so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with enforcement of some federal immigration laws. Rep. Dave Williams (R-Colorado Springs) sponsored House Bill 1134 (HB1134) The legislation would have prohibited local governments from adopting any policy or…

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Texas Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit “Sanctuary City” Policies

AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 8, 2017) – A bill that would effectively prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with enforcement of some federal immigration laws passed the Texas Senate today. Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) filed Senate Bill 4 (SB4) along with 19 cosponsors. The legislation would broadly prohibit local government entities from discouraging the…

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Pennsylvania Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit “Sanctuary City” Policies

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Feb. 7, 2017) – A bill that would effectively prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with enforcement of some federal immigration laws passed the Pennsylvania Senate on Tuesday. A coalition of 22 Republican senators sponsored Senate Bill 10 (SB10). The legislation would require the governing body of all Pennsylvania municipalities, their…

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Pennsylvania Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit “Sanctuary City” Policies

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Feb. 7, 2017) – A bill that would effectively prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with enforcement of some federal immigration laws passed the Pennsylvania Senate on Tuesday. A coalition of 22 Republican senators sponsored Senate Bill 10 (SB10). The legislation would require the governing body of all Pennsylvania municipalities, their…

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New York Assembly Passes Bill to End Support for Most Federal Immigration Enforcement

ALBANY (Feb. 7, 2017) – Yesterday, the New York state Assembly passed a bill to withdraw state resources from the enforcement of most federal immigration laws.  Passage into law will likely have the effect of further nullifying those federal acts in practice and effect. Introduced by Assemblymember Francisco Moya (D-Jackson Heights) and 49 other co-sponsors, Assembly Bill…

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Can States Demand Federal Grant Money and then Not Enforce Federal Law?

This question arrived in response to our new State of the Nullification Movement Report: how do you feel about sanctuary cities? Can San Francisco, for example, insist that the Federal government continue giving them money but not enforce the Federal laws that the money is supposed to pay them to do? My response (personally-identifying information…

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