Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A bill reinforcing that local law enforcement officials must follow federal immigration laws has died.

Senate Bill 2306 was killed when a joint House-Senate committee did not negotiate and file a final version before Monday night's deadline.

The bill would have required officers to alert federal agencies when they think someone convicted of violating state or local laws is in the country illegally. It would have authorized them to make arrests if they have probable cause and transfer detainees to federal custody.

Sean Tindell, a Gulfport Republican, authored the bill. He has said the bill was meant to prevent any city in Mississippi from protecting people who may be in the country illegally from federal agencies. He said the bill also required officers don't violate civil rights.