MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Universities and Colleges

By: Representative Lott

House Bill 1069

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, ACTING JOINTLY WITH THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES, TO ADOPT A POLICY REQUIRING ALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO VERIFY THE CITIZENSHIP OR LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS OF ENROLLED STUDENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, acting jointly with the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, shall develop and adopt a policy requiring the state institutions of higher learning and public community and junior colleges to verify the citizenship or legal immigration status of all enrolled students.  The policy must be in compliance with any related federal law or court ruling in effect on the date that the policy is adopted.  Both the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges shall incorporate the policy into their respective regulations relating to the universities and colleges under their purview.  The policy must be implemented in each state institution of higher learning and community and junior college on or before January 1, 2008.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.