Prohibits state or local authorities from voluntary participation in federal civil immigration enforcement. It would not prohibit compliance with a judicial warrant or court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would establish clear rules about when Rhode Island state and local government employees — including police officers, public officials, and other government workers — can assist federal immigration authorities with civil immigration enforcement. Under this bill, state and local officials would generally be prohibited from voluntarily helping federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carry out civil immigration actions, such as detaining or investigating people based solely on their immigration status.

It is important to note what the bill does not do: it would not prevent state or local authorities from complying with a formal judicial warrant or court order issued by a legitimate court. In other words, if a judge issues a legal order requiring cooperation, government employees would still be required to follow it. The restriction only applies to *voluntary* cooperation that goes beyond what a court has ordered.

This bill would affect a wide range of people and institutions. Immigrants living in Rhode Island — particularly those who are undocumented — could be less likely to encounter state or local authorities acting as extensions of federal immigration enforcement. Local law enforcement agencies and other government offices would need to adjust their policies and practices to comply with the new restrictions. Federal immigration agencies would have less access to voluntary assistance from Rhode Island's state and local governments, though they could still operate independently within the state.

The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026. It has not yet been passed into law.