Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

HB 3301, known as the "Missouri Values Act," restricts Missouri law enforcement agencies from using state resources for federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits local police and jails from detaining individuals based on immigration hold requests, checking immigration status, sharing personal information (like home addresses), or transferring people to immigration authorities without a federal judicial warrant or probable cause determination. The bill allows limited exceptions, such as sharing criminal history via MULES or participating in joint task forces where immigration enforcement isn't the primary purpose. It directly affects all Missouri law enforcement agencies, including city and county police departments and sheriff's offices.

HB 3243 requires Missouri state agencies and schools to notify the Children's Division within 24 hours if a child's parent or legal guardian faces federal immigration enforcement (like detention or deportation). The Children's Division must then assess the child's safety, needs, and placement options, prioritizing relatives or known caregivers when safe and appropriate. Schools must maintain educational stability for affected children, and the bill explicitly prohibits state agencies from asking about immigration status or interfering with federal enforcement. This law aims to protect children's well-being during parental immigration actions while aligning with existing child welfare standards.

HB 3542, the "Community Safety and Law Enforcement Integrity Act," prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from using public funds, personnel, or facilities to assist federal immigration enforcement or entering into immigration enforcement agreements with the federal government. It requires immediate termination of existing agreements and imposes civil penalties of $25,000 per violation, with funds going to public schools. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, local police departments, and state agencies by restricting their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while also requiring ICE agents to display identification and obtain warrants for home entries during operations.

HCR 37 is a symbolic resolution condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices it claims include unlawful detentions, racial profiling, and family separations. It affirms that all people in the U.S. - regardless of immigration status - have constitutional rights and recognizes migrants' vital economic contributions, including in agriculture, healthcare, and other key sectors. The resolution does not change laws but directs Missouri’s Congressional delegation and an ICE official to receive a copy of this non-binding statement. It addresses concerns that ICE actions have caused harm, discouraged community engagement, and violated due process protections.

HB 2524 prohibits Missouri local governments and law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement in ways that involve racial profiling or violate constitutional rights. It requires annual training for law enforcement on constitutional rights and allows local entities to share immigration status information with federal authorities (like ICE) only when there is a documented public safety concern. The bill also blocks state funding for local agencies that restrict such cooperation or violate these rules, while exempting agencies administering federal benefit programs. It directly affects local law enforcement, government entities, and public employees handling immigration-related information.

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.