Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

HB 2621 repeals Missouri laws that prohibited local governments from adopting "sanctuary policies" and penalized municipalities for doing so. Specifically, it removes sections of state law (67.307 and 285.550) that defined sanctuary policies as local ordinances limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities and threatened to cut off state funding for municipalities with such policies. The bill directly affects cities, counties, and other local governments in Missouri, allowing them to implement or maintain policies that restrict local officials from verifying or reporting immigration status to federal agencies. This change removes the financial penalty and legal restrictions that previously prevented municipalities from adopting these policies. The bill does not create new requirements but eliminates existing barriers to local sanctuary policy adoption.

SB 1321 creates a new Missouri state offense for people entering the state while violating federal immigration law (8 U.S.C. § 1325). It imposes a $10,000 fine for a first offense (classified as a misdemeanor) and escalates to a class E felony for repeat violations. The bill mandates court-ordered removal from Missouri after fines or prison terms, requiring specific details like transportation to a port of entry and law enforcement monitoring. Law enforcement officers may arrest individuals suspected of violating this provision upon probable cause. This bill directly affects immigrants entering Missouri in violation of federal immigration rules, establishing state-level penalties distinct from federal enforcement.

HB 2134 requires state Department of Corrections and county sheriff's offices to apply for participation in the federal Warrant Service Officer Program, which allows law enforcement to serve immigration-related administrative warrants under federal law. The bill directly affects correctional facilities and local law enforcement agencies by mandating their participation in this program or offering an alternative "Jail Enforcement Model" for handling immigration status inquiries. Key provisions include requiring agencies to seek federal approval, address denial reasons, and apply for state waivers if repeatedly denied, while outlining processes for rulemaking and program renewal. The law focuses on enabling state/local officers to execute specific immigration warrants without altering federal immigration enforcement authority.