FORT WAYNE, IND. (WOWO) A bill aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement across Indiana is moving forward at the Statehouse, despite concerns raised by the attorney general’s office about how it could be enforced.

Senate Bill 76, known as the Immigration Enforcement Act, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week on a 6–2 vote and is now headed to the full Senate for consideration when lawmakers reconvene in January.

State Sen. Liz Brown, the bill’s author, addressed criticism of the legislation during an interview with Kayla Blakeslee on Fort Wayne’s Morning News, pushing back on claims that the bill could weaken enforcement against so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.

“This bill is about addressing the needs of Indiana while also responding to the strain on the federal immigration system,” Brown said. “Everyone wants to follow the law. The question is how you enforce it correctly.”

What the bill would do

As currently written, SB 76 would require local governments, colleges, and other public entities to honor federal immigration detainer requests. It also establishes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for government units that refuse to comply.

The legislation would prohibit the intentional or reckless hiring of undocumented workers and includes “good faith” legal protections for law enforcement officers and employers who follow established procedures.

Brown said the bill goes beyond labeling jurisdictions as “sanctuary” areas.

“It applies to any unit of government, including higher education,” she explained. “You don’t have to declare yourself a sanctuary city. You simply can’t block federal immigration enforcement.”

Focus on law enforcement training

A key component of the bill centers on how local jails handle federal immigration detainers — which Brown noted are not the same as criminal arrest warrants.

“Sheriffs told me they didn’t have the training or clear process for legally holding someone on a detainer until ICE arrives,” Brown said. “That was the missing piece.”

Under the proposal, the Indiana Department of Correction would develop standardized procedures and training for county jails. Brown said that approach avoids creating new costs while giving law enforcement clearer guidance.

“Once someone is booked into a county jail, the responsibility shifts to the sheriff,” she said. “They needed a lawful process, and DOC agreed to step in and implement it.”

Attorney general raises concerns

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has argued publicly that the bill’s “good faith” provisions could make it harder for his office to take legal action against sanctuary jurisdictions.

Brown disputed that interpretation.

“The good faith language is not about giving cities or counties a loophole,” she said. “It’s about compliance. If you follow the rules and procedures, you’re protected. If you don’t, you’re not.”

She added that similar safe-harbor provisions already exist in employment law and are designed to encourage adherence, not avoid accountability.

“We’re not trying to collect fines or pad the state budget,” Brown said. “We want consistent enforcement across Indiana.”

Employment and benefits enforcement

The bill also addresses state oversight of employment practices and public benefits, including Medicaid and SNAP. Brown said she worked directly with state agencies to confirm existing enforcement mechanisms.

“We asked agencies to prove they’re already following the law and that benefits are not going to people who are not legally eligible,” she said. “That matters, because these are limited resources.”

Coordination with federal officials

Brown confirmed she has met with federal immigration officials, including former Border Czar Tom Homan, to discuss enforcement priorities.

“His biggest concern was officer safety and cooperation,” Brown said. “Don’t obstruct federal officers, and when they ask for help, provide it.”

The bill would also require detainer information to remain on an individual’s record statewide, allowing law enforcement agencies across Indiana’s 92 counties to access that history in future encounters.

What happens next

SB 76 is expected to receive a second reading in January, when amendments will be introduced before a full Senate vote. Brown said she is already working with House lawmakers to address concerns early in the process.

“This is how you pass good legislation,” she said. “You pause, you fix what needs fixing, and you make sure everyone understands it before it reaches the floor.”

Brown said she is confident the bill will continue moving forward but acknowledged changes are likely.

“Just because a bill advances doesn’t mean it’s finished,” she said. “We’re going to make sure it’s right.”