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    Tuesday, May 07, 2024

    States differ in response to Trump immigration plans

    An overflow crowd gathers to hear l discussion about House Bill 37 during a meeting of the House Committee on Higher Education Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Atlanta. Under the bill private colleges that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities would lose state funding for scholarships and research. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

    A look at what some states have done or are considering after President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening to withhold federal funding from communities that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities:

    States considering pro-sanctuary status

    California: Legislative Democrats on Tuesday advanced a bill that would provide statewide sanctuary for immigrants by restricting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The measure marks their first formal effort to resist Trump's immigration policies.

    Vermont: Republican Gov. Phil Scott said late Monday his state will not work with federal authorities to carry out border security and immigration enforcement orders. Scott also said he would ask the Legislature to pass laws that would prohibit local officials from carrying out such actions.

    New Mexico: A proposal from Democrats would prevent local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws and would turn the state with the largest percentage of Hispanic residents into a "sanctuary state." GOP Gov. Susana Martinez is unlikely to endorse the measure. A month after taking office in 2011, Martinez signed an executive order that rescinded the "sanctuary status" for New Mexico.

    States considering anti-sanctuary laws

    Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott instructed lawmakers to send him a bill by June that punishes local governments that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities. He wants to withhold taxpayer money to cities that don't detain immigrants in the country illegally and have the power to remove elected officials who don't comply.

    Idaho: Legislation introduced this week would keep taxpayer money from municipalities if they stop enforcing federal immigration laws. Officers would not be allowed to arrest or round up suspects solely for immigration violations, but if a suspect cannot provide proof of immigration status 48 hours after being detained, officials could check and it would be noted in the court record.

    Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania: Statehouses in those states have introduced legislation this year seeking to ban cities or schools from breaking with federal immigration laws.

    Georgia: Lawmakers are considering a bill prohibiting state funding to private schools that declare themselves "sanctuary campuses."

    Former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan joins others in urging lawmakers to approve a proposed bill to prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, during a hearing of the Senate Public Safety Committee, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The committee passed SB54, by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, that if approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, could create a border-to-border sanctuary in the nation's largest state. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
    In this Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, photo, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks to media representatives in Salem, Ore. President Donald Trump's promised crackdown on "sanctuary cities" has triggered divergent actions from blue and red states: Some are moving to follow his order and others are breaking with the U.S. government to protect immigrants in the country illegally. Oregon pioneered statewide sanctuary in a 1987 law. Brown said she will enforce that law, saying, "They take care of our children and they take care of our seniors, and I want to make sure they feel welcome in Oregon." (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

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