Senate committee advances McLendon’s ‘Glacier Act’ to bolster ICE partnerships

JACKSON, Miss. — Legislation aimed at streamlining the removal of criminal undocumented immigrants gained significant ground Tuesday as the Mississippi Senate Judiciary B Committee advanced Senate Bill 2329, known as the Mississippi Glacier ICE Act.

The measure now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, marking a pivotal effort by the Republican-led Senate to institutionalize state support for federal immigration enforcement. If enacted, the bill would create a first-of-its-kind state grant program specifically designed to reimburse local law enforcement agencies that partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Funding Local Enforcement

Authored by state Sen. Michael McLendon, a Republican from Hernando, SB 2329 targets the financial hurdles local municipalities often face when entering 287(g) agreements—the federal program that deputizes local officers to perform specific immigration officer functions.

The proposed legislation establishes a dedicated funding mechanism to cover costs associated with these partnerships, including:

• Detention bed space and facility maintenance.
• Specialized equipment and technology.
• Mandatory federal training and travel expenses.
• Lodging for personnel.

“This legislation sends a clear message that Mississippi will not be a sanctuary for dangerous criminals who are in this country illegally,” McLendon said following the vote. “If you break our laws and you are here unlawfully, Mississippi will work with ICE to detain you, remove you, and expel you from this state.”

Legislative Momentum

The bill’s passage out of Judiciary B is viewed by Capitol observers as a major milestone in the legislative process. Chairman Sen. Joey Fillingane led the committee through a review of the bill’s language, which McLendon noted was essential to the bill’s current strength.

“I want to sincerely thank the members of Judiciary B and Chairman Fillingane for their thoughtful questions and leadership,” McLendon stated. “Their willingness to dig into the details made this legislation stronger, and I appreciate their commitment to public safety and the rule of law.”

Next Steps for SB 2329

The focus now shifts to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers will review the funding structure for the proposed grant program. If approved by that committee, the Glacier Act will head to the full Mississippi Senate for a floor vote.

Under the current draft, the program is designed to ensure that local agencies are not left shouldering 100 percent of the financial burden of enforcing federal immigration law, providing a clear path for expanded cooperation between state and federal authorities.