Attorney General Todd Rokita can now penalize local governments, schools and hospitals who attempt to limit immigration enforcement thanks to a newly enacted law.
Gov. Mike Braun signed an immigration enforcement bill into law March 5, ramping up the state’s efforts to position itself as a key partner in President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign.
Lauded by Trump administration officials, Senate Enrolled Act 76 will tighten Indiana’s anti-sanctuary law by prohibiting schools, hospitals and local governments from restricting cooperation with immigration enforcement officials via a written or unwritten policy, with steep penalties for violations. It also will force compliance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers, which are federal requests for local jails to hold inmates for up to 48 hours so ICE can pick them up, and add state-level penalties for employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants. Rokita, a staunch proponent of stronger enforcement, would have the power to sue entities that violate the law.
The legislation elicited passionate debate from both its supporters and detractors. Public testimony stretched for hours, where speakers shared concerns that the legislation could have legal repercussions, disrupt community relationships with local law enforcement and make immigrants terrified to interact with police, school or hospital staff. Its proponents said the effort would ensure Indiana enforces the law and would give the state the tools to deal with an immigration system deemed broken by people on both sides of the aisle.
“How is it that when we talk about other humans, we reduce their humanity to a piece of paper?” Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, said ahead of the bill’s passage.
But the bill’s proponents argued it was unfair to let immigrants who are undocumented stay when there are people who wait years to gain legal status before entering the country.
“I don’t care who they work for. I don’t care how many family members are here. Makes no difference to me,” Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, said on the Senate floor Feb. 25. “I will support every method of removing an illegal alien out of this country.”
The legislation’s success is the state’s latest move to enhance its partnership with ICE. Under Braun, the state has increased local law enforcement agreements with the federal agency, added beds to Miami Correctional Facility to house detainees and worked with the Department of Homeland Security to apprehend immigrant drivers on northwest Indiana highways.
Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: New law grants Attorney General Rokita the power to penalize ‘sanctuary’ colleges, governments
Reporting by Marissa Meador, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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