Kentucky lawmakers largely have little control over ICE and immigration, but that hasn’t stopped them from filing at least 10 measures dealing with one of the country’s most divisive issues. 

Here’s a look at what has been filed thus far and where it stands in Frankfort as lawmakers head into the second half of the 2026 legislative session.

‘Harassing’ ICE agents could be a crime

Senate Bill 104: Anyone within 25 feet of a first responder — including ICE agents — who stays there after being told to move back could be guilty of a crime. Some opponents to the bill fear this could restrict protestors’ First Amendment rights to film and protest ICE. 

Status: Passed out of the Senate, now waiting for a House committee assignment. 

No more sanctuary city policies

House Bill 361: Local and state governmental agencies couldn’t have sanctuary city policies, and would be required to use reasonable resources to work with federal immigration officials. 

Status: Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Must follow and enforce federal law

Senate Bill 86: Local law enforcement and the Kentucky State Police would be required to sign 287(g) agreements with federal immigration officials to help ICE.

Status: Waiting on a committee assignment in the Senate. 

House Bill 47: Requires basically the same thing as SB 86.

Status: Assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Seeking a job, working could be a criminal offense

House Bill 62: Anyone illegally in the country found to be looking for a job or work and/or actively working in Kentucky could be hit with a Class A misdemeanor. 

Status: Assigned to House Judiciary Committee.

No pretrial release

House Bill 76: Anyone who can’t prove they’re a citizen is not eligible for pretrial release if they’re arrested, and jails holding someone who can’t prove citizenship are required to contact DHS.

Status: Assigned to House Judiciary Committee.

Can’t run for elected office

Multiple immigration-related bills seek to restrict non-naturalized citizens from running for and holding public office, including at the local level:

• House Bill 441: Asks for voters to amend the state constitution to require candidates for state-level offices to be a citizen solely of the United States and to have been that way for at least 18 years. 
• House Bill 186: Focuses on local offices, preventing non-natural born citizens or those with dual citizenship from holding office.
• House Bill 259: Similar to HB 441, but with slightly different language.

All are currently assigned to a committee, but waiting for a first vote.

Identification would say citizenship status

House Bill 70: Starting next year, entities issuing IDs would need to mark whether or not someone is a citizen of the US on those IDs.

Status: Assigned to the House Transportation Committee.