As Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues efforts to detain and deport illegal immigrants, Kentucky lawmakers are pushing to secure support from local law enforcement agencies.
Senate Bill 86 would mandate that agencies cooperate with ICE in deporting illegal immigrants.
“It is necessary to send a message that Kentucky stands with our federal officials in the enforcement of federal law,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville.
Wheeler said the legislation aims to protect the public by allowing ICE agents to carry out their duties. He said individuals in the country illegally have no right to remain and described them as a menace to society.
“My understanding is the Louisville Metro Police has a policy that they will not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” Wheeler said.
Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt said working alongside a federal agency does not pose a concern.
“We always have. We have never turned any agency down,” Hunt said. “We assist the DEA, ATF and they assist us. My guys would assist, but we would be under direction of how to treat people too.”
Gov. Andy Beshear has indicated opposition to the measure, saying local agencies may lack the necessary training to handle immigration enforcement.
“Any bill that mandates that our law enforcement work with ICE upon their request is going to make us less safe instead of safer,” Beshear said. “With the amount of money that Congress provided to ICE they have enough agents and they don’t need other law enforcement.”
The ACLU also criticized the bill, saying it undermines public trust and places added pressure on already limited law enforcement resources.