The audio version of this story is AI generated and is not human reviewed. It may contain errors or inaccuracies. An expanded list of Mississippi government institutions and law enforcement agencies would be forced to cooperate with federal immigration authorities if a bill the Mississippi House pas sed on Thursday becomes law. The measure advanced in Mississippi on the same day President Donald Trump’s administration ended its surge of immigration agents in Minnesota, an operation that led to thousands of arrests, widespread protests and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens. The Trump administration continues its mass deportation efforts that have at times led to violent clashes between people and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. It also led to political conflicts in other states between Democratic local officials and Republican federal officials who have sent ICE agents into cities around the country. In Mississippi, House Bill 538 authored by Lee Yancey, a Republican from Brandon, would expand Mississippi’s ban on “sanctuary” jurisdictions to require all state and local government entities and employees, including agencies, departments, officers and law enforcement, cooperate with federal and other governmental authorities in enforcing immigration laws. Universities, community colleges and various other political subdivisions would be required to participate in federal immigration enforcement, if requested. There are no official sanctuary cities in Mississippi because it is among the states that already have prohibitions on such policies. House Judiciary A Chairman Rep. Joey Hood, a Republican from Ackerman, who presented the bill on the House floor, said the new measure is necessary to ensure local government agencies and their employees don’t get in the way of federal law enforcement operations. “I think the overwhelming majority of the people of the great state of Mississippi want law and order in this state, and if that includes immigration laws, so be it,” Hood said. “We’re not going to have individuals based through counties, municipalities or law enforcement agencies that are going to hinder immigration officials.” House Democrats leveled fierce criticism at the legislation, arguing it would expose local Mississippi police officers to arrest if they tried to stop ICE agents from engaging in illegal behavior. They also said it would rope a wide range of Mississippi government institutions into carrying out the federal government’s immigration policy. The bill would waive “sovereign immunity,” a legal doctrine protecting federal and state governments from being sued, for entities violating it. It also would empower the state attorney general to investigate and prosecute violations of the law. The House voted 77-40, mostly along partisan lines, to pass the measure. All but one Democratic member, Karl Gibbs of West Point, opposed it. The chamber’s two independents, Angela Cockerham of Magnolia and Shanda Yates of Jackson, did not vote. No Republicans opposed the measure. “I don’t think we really realize what we’re about to do,” said Rep. Bryant Clark, a Democrat from Pickens. Clark attempted to amend the legislation by clarifying that law enforcement could not punish government employees for refusing illegal or unconstitutional orders from federal immigration officials. The Republicans successfully defeated his amendment. Clark said he had concerns about employees from the University of Mississippi Medical Center or the state Department of Revenue who could face state penalties for refusing to release private health care or tax information to immigration enforcement agencies. “We shouldn’t do that to our state employees,” Clark said. The House bill, which now heads to the Senate for consideration, came two days after lawmakers in both chambers passed other bills to expand the state’s role in immigration enforcement and elections. Politics reporter Taylor Vance contributed to this report. ...read more read less