MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

Senate Bill No. 254

An Act concerning immigration; relating to state and local public benefits and eligibility thereof; prohibiting aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States from receiving any state or local public benefit in accordance with applicable federal law; requiring individuals 18 years of age and older who apply for any state or local public benefit to provide proof of being lawfully present; prohibiting the state or any county or local agency from providing any public benefit to any alien without first verifying that the alien is lawfully present by use of the existing systematic alien verification for entitlements program; requiring state and local agencies administering public benefits to cooperate with the United States department of homeland security in achieving verification of an alien’s lawful presence.

Message to the Legislature of the State of Kansas

America’s immigration system is broken, but this is not the way to fix it. This bill targets Kansans who were brought to the United States as children. To punish these kids for decisions their parents made years ago is not only cruel, but also not in the best interest of the state. Kansas needs these young people to be educated and trained so they can enter our workforce and contribute to our state’s economy.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 254.

Laura Kelly, Governor

Dated April 6, 2026.