'Sanctuary' university bill rejected by Arkansas House panel

The House Education Committee rejected a bill Tuesday that would defund Arkansas universities that enact sanctuary policies to protect illegal aliens.

Rep. Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro, who sponsored House Bill 1042, said he did not plan to run the measure again after it failed on a voice vote.

The bill would have required state colleges and universities to certify annually that they don't have policies that prevent officials from working with federal immigration officials or bar law enforcement officers from asking people about their immigration status.

Opponents said Tuesday the bill would have little legal effect but appears discriminatory against minority groups.

Read more: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/feb/08/sanctuary-university-bill-rejected-2017/?f=news-politics