Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a stern warning to Indianapolis officials, indicating potential legal action if they continue to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts. Rokita emphasized that state law mandates cooperation with federal authorities to the fullest extent permitted, and he intends to ensure compliance.
Rokita expressed concern over what he perceives as defiance of established law, particularly by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). Both entities have publicly stated their unwillingness to collaborate with federal immigration agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
IMPD Chief Chris Bailey has asserted that local police lack the jurisdiction to enforce federal immigration statutes and will not participate in immigration sweeps. Echoing this sentiment, IPS officials declared that ICE agents would be denied access to school premises without a valid criminal warrant.
This isn't Rokita's first foray into legal battles concerning this issue. Last month, he initiated a lawsuit against the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff William Redman, citing their repeated refusal to honor ICE detainer requests. The lawsuit alleges that between March and September 2024, nine such requests were ignored, impeding ICE's attempts to apprehend individuals residing in the country illegally.
Rokita also pointed to Indiana University as another entity resisting cooperation with federal immigration laws, stating his intention to pursue injunctive relief against such "bad behavior." He highlighted a state statute that mandates cooperation with federal law enforcement to the extent permissible, underscoring his commitment to enforcing this provision.
The backdrop to this legal wrangling is President Trump's ongoing nationwide ICE raids. A senior administration official recently disclosed to Fox News Digital that 700 individuals were detained in a weekend operation, 500 of whom had prior convictions or pending charges.
