LITTLE ROCK, AR — On Thursday, September 18, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said that the city of Fayetteville is in compliance with the state's "sanctuary policy" law, despite alleging the day prior that the municipality had violated the statute.
This decision allows the restoration of discretionary funding that was revoked as a result of violating the law, according to a report from the Arkansas Advocate. In Thursday's opinion, Griffin acknowledged Mayor Molly Rawn's letter clarifying remarks that he previously said violated the statute. The letter was reportedly issued on Wednesday, September 17.
Rawn's office also "issued a statement reaffirming that City employees are not prohibited from cooperating with federal immigration authorities when legally required or requested," according to Griffin, who said these actions led him to conclude that the city was no longer in violation of the law.
"Fayetteville Police Chief Mike Reynolds acknowledged receiving the statement and affirmed: 'We have never, nor will we ever, refuse to assist our local, state, or federal law enforcement partners,'" Griffin wrote. "Based on this evidence, it is my opinion that the City of Fayetteville is now in compliance with A.C.A § 14-1-103."
In his opinion, Griffin also verified that the city was again eligible to receive discretionary funding administered by the state, but noted his certification "is contingent on continued compliance."
"If my Office is later notified that the City has adopted or implemented a policy, whether written or unwritten, that contravenes the statute, the City will again become ineligible for discretionary State funds," Griffin wrote. Fayetteville received nearly $1 million in state grants in 2024 that support programs such as park improvements, fire services, drug crime enforcement, environmental initiatives, and public safety equipment.
"Our responsibility is to the people of Fayetteville. Keeping neighborhoods safe, maintaining and improving reliable services, and investing in our future are our priorities," Rawn said in a statement. "I appreciate the Attorney General's confirmation, which allows us to continue accessing state resources."
The statute that was in question was the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act, which state lawmakers passed during the 2025 legislative session. Among many other things, the law expanded the state's current ban on "sanctuary cities," a term for municipalities that do not coordinate with federal immigration.
Griffin's original opinion on Fayetteville was requested by Rep. Kendon Underwood, a Cave Springs Republican who claimed in June that the city had violated state law after the mayor issued a news release clarifying the Fayetteville Police Department's role in an Arkansas State Police traffic stop that involved federal immigration enforcement.
"I want to reaffirm clearly: The City of Fayetteville does not assist ICE in carrying out its agenda," Rawn said in the release. "Our police department's role is to keep our community safe, not to act as agents of immigration enforcement."
Griffin wrote in his opinion that the mayor's statement, which said it "reiterated the city's position," reflected a preexisting policy that violated the state's sanctuary policy law. In the mayor's letter on Wednesday to city council members and the police chief, it was clarified that it is the city's policy to "fully comply" with all state laws, including the statute that was in question.
"The City of Fayetteville has never had a written policy that affirms, suggests, or implies the existence of a sanctuary policy," Rawn said. "However, to avoid any misunderstanding, I want to make it unequivocally clear that my comments should not be interpreted as supporting or establishing a sanctuary policy in violation of A.C.A. § 14-1-103, either now or at any point in the future."
This decision allows the restoration of discretionary funding that was revoked as a result of violating the law, according to a report from the Arkansas Advocate. In Thursday's opinion, Griffin acknowledged Mayor Molly Rawn's letter clarifying remarks that he previously said violated the statute. The letter was reportedly issued on Wednesday, September 17.
Rawn's office also "issued a statement reaffirming that City employees are not prohibited from cooperating with federal immigration authorities when legally required or requested," according to Griffin, who said these actions led him to conclude that the city was no longer in violation of the law.
"Fayetteville Police Chief Mike Reynolds acknowledged receiving the statement and affirmed: 'We have never, nor will we ever, refuse to assist our local, state, or federal law enforcement partners,'" Griffin wrote. "Based on this evidence, it is my opinion that the City of Fayetteville is now in compliance with A.C.A § 14-1-103."
In his opinion, Griffin also verified that the city was again eligible to receive discretionary funding administered by the state, but noted his certification "is contingent on continued compliance."
"If my Office is later notified that the City has adopted or implemented a policy, whether written or unwritten, that contravenes the statute, the City will again become ineligible for discretionary State funds," Griffin wrote. Fayetteville received nearly $1 million in state grants in 2024 that support programs such as park improvements, fire services, drug crime enforcement, environmental initiatives, and public safety equipment.
"Our responsibility is to the people of Fayetteville. Keeping neighborhoods safe, maintaining and improving reliable services, and investing in our future are our priorities," Rawn said in a statement. "I appreciate the Attorney General's confirmation, which allows us to continue accessing state resources."
The statute that was in question was the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act, which state lawmakers passed during the 2025 legislative session. Among many other things, the law expanded the state's current ban on "sanctuary cities," a term for municipalities that do not coordinate with federal immigration.
Griffin's original opinion on Fayetteville was requested by Rep. Kendon Underwood, a Cave Springs Republican who claimed in June that the city had violated state law after the mayor issued a news release clarifying the Fayetteville Police Department's role in an Arkansas State Police traffic stop that involved federal immigration enforcement.
"I want to reaffirm clearly: The City of Fayetteville does not assist ICE in carrying out its agenda," Rawn said in the release. "Our police department's role is to keep our community safe, not to act as agents of immigration enforcement."
Griffin wrote in his opinion that the mayor's statement, which said it "reiterated the city's position," reflected a preexisting policy that violated the state's sanctuary policy law. In the mayor's letter on Wednesday to city council members and the police chief, it was clarified that it is the city's policy to "fully comply" with all state laws, including the statute that was in question.
"The City of Fayetteville has never had a written policy that affirms, suggests, or implies the existence of a sanctuary policy," Rawn said. "However, to avoid any misunderstanding, I want to make it unequivocally clear that my comments should not be interpreted as supporting or establishing a sanctuary policy in violation of A.C.A. § 14-1-103, either now or at any point in the future."
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Comments
2025-09-22T14:43-0400 | Comment by: James
Good! Now go after the Mayor who lied to your residence!