Know your Rights

Local Ordinances In Louisville

Learn about some of the local policies and ordinances that protect individuals living in Louisville. This information also includes policies within JCPS that protect students attending school in the Jefferson District. If you do not live in Jefferson County, make sure to research what policies and ordinances might be in place to protect the community where you live or attend school.

If you are a college student, we suggest connecting with representatives at your college to share what policies they have in place to protect student safety and personal information.

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1. Kentucky is Not a "Stop and Identify" State:

• Policy: In Kentucky, individuals are generally not required to identify themselves to police officers unless they are operating a vehicle or are lawfully detained based on reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminal activity.​

• Source: The Kentucky Supreme Court has determined that Kentucky does not have a "stop and identify" statute, meaning citizens are not obligated to provide identification upon request unless specific conditions are met. ​​

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2. Louisville's Non-Participation in the 287(g) Program:

• Policy: Louisville Metro Government has policies that limit local law enforcement's involvement in federal immigration enforcement, including non-participation in the 287(g) program, which allows local or state officers to act as federal immigration agents.​

• Source: In 2017, the Louisville Metro Council approved an ordinance clarifying that local law enforcement and city employees are not to enforce federal civil immigration laws, effectively preventing participation in programs like 287(g)

• Link to Policy: https://www.louisville-police.org/DocumentCenter/View/607/Immigration-and-Customs-Enforcement-PDF

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3. LMPD's Policy on Inquiring About Immigration Status:

• Policy: Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers are generally prohibited from inquiring about an individual's immigration status during routine interactions unless it is directly relevant to a criminal or homeland security investigation.​

• Source: LMPD's Standard Operating Procedures specify that officers should not inquire about immigration status unless it pertains to a criminal investigation or is required by law.

• Link to Policy: https://www.louisville-police.org/DocumentCenter/View/3404/SOP-8-8-Biased-Law-Enforcement-Practices---03-23-2023

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JCPCS

All Students are Guaranteed the Right to Attend School

• Every child has the right to an education regardless of immigrant status, as guaranteed by the U.S Constitution.

JCPS is a Safe Haven School District

• 2017 resolution declaring JCPS a Safe Haven School District

JCPS Protects Student Privacy

• JCPS does not ask about or disclose immigration status (FERPA)

JCPS Welcomes All Students

• JCPS will not take any action that might discourage students from enrolling and participating in school, or that might lead to the exclusion of students, based on immigration status.

Policies:

• Federal laws prohibit discrimination in public education, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

• The Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. section 1232(g), protects the personal information and records of all students, regardless of immigration status.

• The Supreme Court, in the case Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982) also held that discrimination on the basis of immigration status in access to basic public education violates the Constitution.

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Source: ICE at Schools PDF