INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO) — The Indiana Senate approved a Republican-backed immigration enforcement bill Monday that would expand local cooperation with federal authorities and penalize noncompliance. Senate Bill 76 passed along party lines, 37–7, with all “no” votes from Democrats. The legislation now moves to the Indiana House for consideration according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Authored by Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne), the bill requires local law enforcement and county jails to comply with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests. Agencies would also need to notify judges overseeing bail decisions and record the detainer in case files. The Indiana Department of Correction would set statewide rules for cooperation with ICE, standardizing procedures for all county jails.
The legislation grants law enforcement officers who complete department-approved training an affirmative defense in certain civil lawsuits, shielding them from legal liability when following state procedures. It also allows the governor to withhold state funding for up to a year from agencies that fail to comply.
Brown said the bill ensures law enforcement can perform their duties and reinforces the state’s ban on sanctuary policies. “Allow law enforcement to do their jobs, enforce the laws that we have on our books, federal, state, or local,” she said.
Supporters argue SB 76 prevents local entities from blocking federal enforcement and strengthens protections against human trafficking, while opponents warn it could strain already overcrowded county jails and divert resources. Democratic senators expressed concerns about the potential impact on immigrant communities and local law enforcement relationships.
“County jails across the state are already full,” said Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington). “Yet, this bill demands more holds, more time in custody and more administrative burden, without taking constitutional rights into account.”
National attention to ICE operations, including recent incidents in Minnesota, fueled debate in the Statehouse. Some Republicans, including Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton), argued that full cooperation with federal authorities would prevent similar clashes.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita criticized the bill as “window dressing” and “toothless,” saying stronger enforcement measures are possible. Brown countered that the bill’s goal is focused on enabling law enforcement to follow state and federal law.
Senate Bill 76 also contains provisions targeting employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers, requires state agencies to report immigration activity to lawmakers, and strengthens the state’s ability to pursue legal actions tied to human trafficking.
The bill now heads to the Indiana House for further debate.
