Kentucky Lawmaker Proposes Giving All Local Police the Power to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY — A new proposal in the Kentucky legislature would give every state and local police officer the power to act like federal immigration agents. The bill — introduced by Republican Rep. TJ Roberts — would require all Kentucky law enforcement agencies to enter formal agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dramatically expanding their authority to identify, detain, and process undocumented immigrants during routine police work.
Proposed Law Would Require Police to Partner with ICE
Rep. Roberts presented his plan before the House Committee on Local Government, outlining a bill for the 2026 General Assembly that would mandate participation in ICE’s 287(g) program.
Under this agreement, trained officers would gain broad immigration enforcement powers, including:
- Interrogating people suspected of being undocumented
- Processing immigration violations for those arrested on state or federal charges
- Arresting individuals believed to be violating immigration law
- Issuing immigration detainers and preparing ICE charging documents
- Executing warrants related to immigration cases
Roberts argued that the authority only applies when officers are performing their “routine duties,” such as traffic stops or responding to crimes.
“There has to be some level of suspicion of an underlying crime,” Roberts told lawmakers. “This isn’t going to result in individuals just doing pure immigration controls.”
At least 10 Kentucky counties already participate voluntarily, but Roberts wants statewide coverage.
The Policy Comes With Financial Incentives
ICE offers participating agencies:
- $100,000 for new vehicles
- $7,500 per trained officer
- Additional pay and equipment benefits
Roberts called it an “incredible opportunity to provide more resources to our law enforcement community.” He also argued that the growing national emphasis on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration makes this alignment timely.
Critics Say the Bill Threatens Safety and Community Trust
Democrats and civil rights advocates immediately raised concerns, warning that mandatory immigration policing would widen inequalities, strain resources, and make communities less safe.
The Kentucky ACLU issued a sharply worded statement blasting the proposal:
“This is another bad attempt to copy and paste a failed idea used in other states,” said ACLU-KY Executive Director Amber Duke.
“It will undermine public safety, erode constitutional rights, and damage community trust across Kentucky.”
Some lawmakers questioned whether routine stops could quickly turn into immigration checks for people walking or driving without identification.
Roberts insisted the proposal would not authorize random immigration stops.
A Political Clash Intensifies After Constituent Email
The debate spilled beyond the committee room when a Louisville woman emailed Roberts calling the proposal “fascist.” His response triggered outrage.
Roberts replied with an AI-generated video of himself superimposed on Donald Trump saying, “Quiet, piggy.”
The clip — originally condemned nationwide when Trump used the phrase on a journalist — stunned the constituent and drew public rebuke.
“I strongly believe he should be censured,” she told reporters. “Citizens should not be treated that way.”
Roberts defended himself, saying the video “fit the tone” of the email he received.
Growing Number of KY Agencies Already Using 287(g)
Kentucky’s participation in the program has been rising. According to ICE’s own database, jurisdictions with current 287(g) agreements include:
- Bracken
- Butler
- Clinton
- Fulton
- Daviess
- Grayson
- Heritage Creek
- Hickman
- Lyon
- Marshall
- Scott
- Union
A Herald-Leader review found that the number of Kentucky agencies in the program doubled in the first half of 2025.
Roberts said the bill ensures coverage in places where he believes the program is needed but not yet implemented.
“We don’t have these agreements in the areas that need it most,” he said. “It’s well within our purview to make such a requirement.”
What Happens Next
Roberts plans to formally file the bill once the 2026 legislative session begins.
If passed, Kentucky would become one of the strictest states in the nation on local-federal immigration collaboration.
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