INDIANAPOLIS – This week, Attorney General Todd Rokita advised the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) to discontinue policies and practices that limit their ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities or face legal action from his office.
Leaders of both IMPD and IPS have indicated they intend to restrict their cooperation with federal authorities’ efforts to identify and deport illegal aliens.
Indiana law, however, prohibits local government entities from restricting the enforcement of federal immigration law, such as by limiting their own interactions and cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Illegal aliens coming across our Southern border have caused a jump in crime, fentanyl overdoses, human trafficking, and an increased financial burden on state and local programs,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Hardworking Hoosiers are sick and tired of paying the price to accommodate unlawful conduct. IMPD and IPS must put Hoosiers first, cooperate with ICE, or face legal consequences.”
Throughout his time in office, Attorney General Rokita has prioritized tackling the problem of illegal immigration.
In 2024, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law authorizing the attorney general to file lawsuits against any Indiana colleges, universities, or units of local government that do not comply with the Indiana ban on sanctuary policies. A “sanctuary jurisdiction” is a local unit of government that has implemented a policy that deliberately and intentionally restricts and obstructs the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
“Under Indiana law, neither IMPD nor IPS has discretion to decide whether ICE should receive their cooperation and assistance,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The Indiana General Assembly has set for the state and all of its subdivisions a policy of full, robust cooperation with federal immigration authorities. As attorney general, I am entrusted with the enforcement of that policy.”
Attached are letters sent by Attorney General Rokita to IMPD and IPS.
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