The Indiana State Senate has approved legislation requiring law enforcement to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they arrest individuals suspected of being in the United States illegally. The bill passed with a 37-10 vote and now awaits Governor Mike Braun’s decision.
Under this legislation, if police arrest someone for a misdemeanor or felony and have reason to believe the individual is unlawfully present in the U.S., the detention facility must report the arrest to the county sheriff. The sheriff is then obligated to inform ICE or the appropriate authority.
This move aligns with broader national efforts to enhance immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has been encouraging local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with federal immigration authorities through programs like the revived 287(g) initiative, which trains local officers to assist in identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants facing charges.
In Indiana, the Clay County Justice Center in Brazil has become a major detention facility, holding an average of 224 detainees—the highest in the Midwest. This highlights Indiana’s increasing role in immigration enforcement amid federal initiatives to expand detention capacities.
The bill’s passage underscores Indiana’s commitment to upholding immigration laws and ensuring cooperation between local and federal authorities in addressing illegal immigration.
