# Kentucky lawmakers file 10+ immigration bills focusing on ICE enforcement **Published:** 2026-03-05T19:12:58.000Z **Source:** [Queer Kentucky - Oliva Krauth](https://queerkentucky.com/kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kentucky-lawmakers-file-10-immigration-bills-focusing-on-ice-enforcement LEXINGTON, Ky. — Despite having limited authority over immigration policy, Kentucky lawmakers have filed at least 10 measures addressing one of the nation's most contentious issues as the 2026 legislative session progresses, [according to Queer Kentucky](https://queerkentucky.com/kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session/). The bills cover a broad range of immigration-related proposals, from enhancing ICE cooperation to restricting citizenship rights for non-naturalized residents. [Senate Bill 104](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb104.html), which has already passed both chambers as of March 25, would make it a crime for anyone to remain within 25 feet of a first responder, including ICE agents, after being ordered to leave. Civil rights advocates have raised concerns that the measure could infringe on First Amendment protections for those filming or protesting ICE activities. Several proposals aim to strengthen cooperation between state and local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities. [Senate Bill 86](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/SB86.html) and [House Bill 47](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/HB47.html) would require state police and local law enforcement to sign 287(g) agreements with federal immigration officials to assist ICE operations. [House Bill 361](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/HB361.html) would prohibit local and state agencies from adopting sanctuary city policies and mandate cooperation with federal immigration officials. Other bills would criminalize employment activities by undocumented immigrants. [House Bill 62](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/HB62.html) would make job-seeking or employment by those illegally in the country a Class A misdemeanor. [House Bill 76](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/HB76.html) would deny pretrial release to those unable to prove citizenship and require jails to contact the Department of Homeland Security. Multiple bills seek to restrict political participation by non-naturalized citizens. [House Bill 441](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/HB441.html) and [House Bill 259](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb259.html) would require state-level candidates to be U.S. citizens for at least 18 years, while [House Bill 186](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb186.html) targets local offices. Additionally, [House Bill 70](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/HB70.html) would require identification documents to indicate citizenship status beginning next year. Most bills remain in committee assignments and await first votes. ## Sources - [Queer Kentucky - Oliva Krauth](https://queerkentucky.com/kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session) - [ICE enforcement, sanctuary bans among immigration bills filed in Kentucky legislature](https://queerkentucky.com/kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Queer Kentucky - Oliva Krauth. The original source is available at https://queerkentucky.com/kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kentucky-immigration-bills-ice-enforcement-2026-session.