The Indiana House recently approved a bill that would prohibit local governments and universities from restricting immigration enforcement, regardless of which agency carries it out. The bill requires authorities to notify the judge considering bail if a person in custody is subject to an immigration detainer and comply with all related requests. It also allows the attorney general to defend law enforcement officers in civil suits related to immigration enforcement actions.
The measure aims to assist the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, with Governor Mike Braun ordering state law enforcement agencies to assist federal authorities whenever possible. The bill, passed along party lines, prohibits employers from knowingly hiring or recruiting individuals who are in the country illegally.
However, Democrats have criticized the bill for not providing sufficient penalties to employers and sending an unwelcoming message to legal immigrants. They argue that the legislation threatens Indiana’s reputation for hospitality and inclusivity.
The bill’s author, Rep. J.D. Prescott, believes that Indiana has a role to play in securing the border and removing those who have entered the country illegally, especially those who have committed additional crimes. The bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration after lawmakers return from their mid-session break on March 3.
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