Louisiana Legislature Passes Bills to Intensify Immigration Enforcement
BATON ROUGE – This week, Louisiana lawmakers approved two significant pieces of legislation aimed at reinforcing the state’s immigration enforcement, aligning it with the policies of states like Texas and Florida. One bill mandates that state agencies track the legal status of individuals utilizing public services, while the second criminalizes interference with federal immigration operations.
These moves follow a law passed last year allowing local and state law enforcement to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants. Now awaiting approval from Governor Jeff Landry, the new bills reflect escalating national tensions over immigration policy, amid protests in cities like Los Angeles.
Senate Bill 100, authored by Sen. Blake Miguez, requires state departments to disclose the legal status of individuals receiving services and report this data annually. Agencies failing to comply risk losing funding. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Jay Morris, aims to penalize obstruction of federal immigration efforts, introducing potential jail time and hefty fines for violators.
If enacted, Louisiana will become the first state to impose criminal penalties for obstructing immigration enforcement. Critics, including Tia Fields from the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants, warn that the bills send a damaging message about immigrant families in the state.
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