Families belong together and all people in Kentucky should feel safe in their communities, regardless of their skin color or country of origin.
We oppose any legislation that could lead to family separation, unconstitutional detentions of foreign-born Kentuckians, or racial and ethnic profiling.
Legislation proposed in 2020, 2021, and 2022 would separate families, weaken public safety, harm educational opportunity for all people, and expose all Kentuckians of color to racial profiling and intimidation. These proposals would specifically:
- Ban "sanctuary cities" in Kentucky
- Withhold funding for municipalities that operate as "sanctuary cities
- Prohibit colleges and universities from employing undocumented people or accepting undocumented students
- Require colleges and universities to keep records of people's immigration status
- Withhold funding for colleges and universities that enroll, employ, or contract undocumented people
Families belong together:
Being born outside of our commonwealth does not make Kentuckians any less Kentuckian. Children should never be separated from their parents for immigration enforcement.
Immigration status is fluid:
Someone may be undocumented today and eligible for a visa tomorrow, and here on a student visa today and undocumented after graduating. Immigration status is complicated and local law enforcement are not equipped to determine if someone is here lawfully.
Diversity strengthens education:
Kentucky kids should not be afraid to go to school. Studies show diversity at school leads to better learning outcomes. It teaches students how to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and with different viewpoints.
Immigration grows the economy:
Immigrants and children of immigrants are two times more likely to start a business. Undocumented immigrants in Kentucky paid approximately $36.6 million in state and local taxes in 2014. That would rise to $52.7 million if they were documented.
A family separation bill was the top priority for the Kentucky Senate in 2020. With your support, a broad coalition of advocates stopped it in its tracks. Similar legislation returned in 2021 and and 2022, and is likely to make progress in 2023.
Bill Movement:
- Introduced: N/A
- Passed Committee: N/A
- Passed House or Senate: N/A
- Accepted by House or Senate: N/A
- Passed Committee: N/A
- Passed House or Senate: N/A
- Sent to Governor: N/A
- Action by Governor: N/A
