A RESOLUTION supporting the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' special pastoral message on immigration and affirming that immigration enforcement actions should not occur in houses of worship, schools, or hospitals.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Berg

Immigration enforcement should not occur in houses of worship, schools, or hospitals in Kentucky.

to Committee on Committees (S)

#education #elementaryandsecondary #hospitalsandhealthfacilities #immigration #religion

Summary of SR 125 (2026RS) – Kentucky

Purpose and intent

SR 125 is a Senate resolution in the Kentucky General Assembly that expresses support for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) special pastoral message on immigration.

The resolution further affirms a policy position: immigration enforcement actions should not occur in places of worship, schools, or hospitals.

Key provisions and changes

Endorsement of USCCB guidance: The resolution publicly aligns Kentucky's Senate (as a body) with the USCCB’s special pastoral message on immigration, signaling moral and ethical support for the bishops’ stance.

Protection of sanctuary-like spaces: The resolution explicitly states that immigration enforcement actions should not take place in:

Houses of worship (e.g., churches, chapels, synagogues, mosques where applicable within Kentucky’s scope)
Schools
Hospitals

The text does not create new laws or statutory mandates; rather, it serves as a formal expression of the Kentucky Senate’s position and guidance to state agencies, local governments, law enforcement, and the public.

Who or what is affected

Primary audience: Kentucky state government bodies, including law enforcement agencies and public institutions, by signaling a normative expectation regarding enforcement actions.

Religious institutions, educational facilities, and healthcare facilities: The resolution aims to influence practice and policy around immigration enforcement by limiting or discouraging enforcement actions in these sensitive spaces.

Immigrant communities and advocates: Indirectly impacted, as the resolution communicates a supportive stance toward protections for worship spaces, schools, and hospitals.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: SR 125 was introduced in the Kentucky Senate on February 26, 2026.

Committee action: The resolution was referred to the Committee on Committees (S) on the same date.

As a non-binding measure: The resolution does not impose statutory obligations or enforcement mechanisms; it expresses legislative intent and positions, and its influence rests in symbolic and advisory capacity.

Potential impact and considerations

Symbolic impact: Signals solidarity with immigrant communities and aligns Kentucky with a stated ethical framework for sensitive enforcement activities.

Policy influence: May influence public discourse and inform future state-level discussions on the handling of immigration enforcement in sensitive institutions.

Legislative scope: Being a resolution, it does not create new law or allocate resources; any practical effect would depend on subsequent executive or administrative actions inspired by the sentiment, or on how agencies interpret and implement related policies.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to specific audiences (general public, policymakers, immigrant advocacy groups) or compare SR 125 to similar measures in other states.