LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas' Republican governor says he will sign a bill cutting off funding to "sanctuary cities" that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities despite his objections that the measure could open the door to racial profiling.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday he'll sign the bill approved by the majority-Republican Legislature. The measure also prohibits cities from preventing local law enforcement from asking about a person's citizenship or immigration status.
According to Governor Hutchinson's letter:
The bill defines a sanctuary policy as any order or policy that:
- Prohibits municipal officials in communicating and cooperating with federal agencies to verify immigration status.
- Grants to illegal immigrants the right to lawful presence or status in violation of federal law.
- Restricts cooperation with federal immigration detainers or other federal law enforcement requests.
Hutchinson had asked lawmakers to change the bill after he said he was concerned it would open the door to racial profiling. But the bill's sponsors rebuffed the request and lawmakers gave the bill final approval Wednesday.
The Arkansas Municipal League, which opposes the measure, says it doesn't know of any cities in the state with sanctuary policies.