Bill > SB2057

This bill aims to prevent state and county law enforcement agencies and officials in Hawaii from engaging in immigration enforcement. It prohibits these agencies from entering into agreements with federal authorities that allow them to enforce federal immigration laws, specifically referencing a section of federal law (title 8 United States Code section 1357(g)) that permits such arrangements. Furthermore, the bill restricts state and county law enforcement from taking certain immigration-related actions, such as inquiring about an individual's citizenship or immigration status unless it's relevant to a state or county criminal investigation, sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement purposes, or detaining individuals based on federal "hold requests" (requests to keep someone in custody for federal immigration authorities). The bill also clarifies that these restrictions do not prevent law enforcement from performing their duties under state law, complying with court orders, or fulfilling obligations explicitly required by federal or state law. The legislature's stated purpose is to foster trust between immigrant communities and state agencies, recognizing that immigrants are valuable members of society and that fear of government entanglement with federal immigration enforcement can harm public safety and well-being.