This Senate concurrent resolution urges the U.S. Congress to double fines for breaking federal immigration laws and asks Immigration and Customs Enforcement to more aggressively prosecute companies that hire undocumented workers. The bill directly addresses employers who hire unauthorized immigrants and federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement, citing concerns that current penalties are too weak to deter hiring practices that allegedly harm American workers. Because this is a non-binding resolution rather than a law, it expresses the Kansas Senate's formal recommendation to federal officials without creating new legal obligations or changing existing statutes. The document highlights past statistics showing that ICE has rarely used criminal prosecution against employers compared to its focus on individuals entering the country illegally.
This concurrent resolution urges the Governor of Kansas to fully cooperate with the Trump administration on enforcing federal immigration laws. The bill specifically encourages the state to assist in border security efforts, including the potential deployment of the Kansas National Guard, and supports the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. It frames this cooperation as a bipartisan necessity to protect public safety and resources while also affirming support for a legal immigration system. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Governor, federal officials, and members of Congress to promote collaboration on these issues.
This bill clarifies the authority of county sheriffs in Kansas to detain individuals based on immigration detainer requests from federal immigration authorities, specifying the documentation required to justify such detentions. It requires municipal insurance pools to provide liability coverage for local law enforcement officers who enforce federal immigration laws, regardless of whether they are formally deputized by federal agencies. The legislation also mandates that the state attorney general provide legal representation to local law enforcement agencies in federal civil or habeas corpus actions related to immigration enforcement and exempts certain federal immigration cooperation agreements from specific provisions of the state's interlocal cooperation act. Additionally, the bill establishes that the state will pay certain court judgment costs if federal authorities fail to cover them in cases where local officers acted in good faith while enforcing immigration detainers.
HB 2686 bans Kansas state and local law enforcement agencies from hiring any former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who was employed by ICE on or after January 20, 2025. The bill specifically prohibits these individuals from becoming police officers or law enforcement officers as defined under Kansas law (K.S.A. 74-5602). It applies to all current and future employment decisions by Kansas law enforcement entities. The law would take effect upon publication in the state statute book, but it has only been introduced and referred to committee as of February 2026.
HB 2771 establishes procedures for Kansas county sheriffs operating jails regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers. It requires sheriffs to detain individuals based on facially sufficient ICE detainer forms (I-247A) for up to 48 hours without criminal charges, with specific documentation requirements and release conditions including proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill also mandates municipal insurance pools to cover law enforcement actions enforcing federal law and requires the state to pay certain federal court judgments and provide attorney general representation in related civil actions. Additionally, it updates interlocal cooperation agreements for county sheriffs without needing board approval.
SB 178 requires Kansas law enforcement agencies (including city police, county sheriffs, and other local departments) to apply for and enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to authorize officers to assist with federal immigration enforcement. Agencies must submit requests to ICE, enter agreements if offered, or provide documentation of refusal to the Attorney General. Failure to comply may result in legal action by the Attorney General and loss of state grant funding for the affected agency. The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies' ability to receive state financial support based on their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
HB 2066 requires Kansas business entities and public employers to register with and use the federal e-Verify program to confirm the work authorization of all new employees starting July 1, 2025. The bill also prohibits employers from claiming income tax deductions for wages paid to individuals without legal authorization to work in the United States. It makes it unlawful for employers to knowingly hire, recruit, or refer unauthorized workers, with enforcement handled by county attorneys or the state attorney general. This law directly affects all businesses and public employers in Kansas that hire new staff, including those operating without a business license.
