Complaint alleges Fayetteville in violation of sanctuary city law
Rep. Kendon Underwood, R-Cave Springs, said Wednesday (June 18) he is calling for a freeze of state funding to the city of Fayetteville for what he alleges is a violation of Arkansas’ law against so-called sanctuary cities.
A sanctuary city is commonly defined as a city that places limits on its support of federal immigration policies and enforcement actions.
Underwood filed a complaint with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin asking an opinion about the city’s decision to not assist the Arkansas Highway Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a Tuesday (June 17) traffic stop.
“Refusing to cooperate with state and federal law enforcement makes Arkansans less safe and violates the rule of law,” Underwood noted in his press release.
Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn issued a statement Tuesday saying the city’s police officers will not provide immigration enforcement assistance.
“I want to reaffirm clearly: The City of Fayetteville does not assist ICE in carrying out its agenda,” Rawn noted. “Our police department’s role is to keep our community safe, not to act as agents of immigration enforcement.”
A city found in violation of Arkansas’ anti-sanctuary city law is not allowed to receive “discretionary moneys provided through funds or grants administered by the state until the Attorney General certifies that the sanctuary policy is repealed or no longer in place.”
Griffin spokesman Jeff LeMaster confirmed that the office received the complaint and is reviewing it. He said there is no legally required deadline for a response.
“We received and are reviewing a complaint against the City of Fayetteville for reportedly violating the state’s law that prohibits cities from having sanctuary-city policies, including those that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration officials,” LeMaster said.
Talk Business & Politics has sought a statement from the city of Fayetteville about Underwood’s effort and will update this story when/if a response is received.