INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is one step closer to enacting some of the strictest immigration enforcement measures in the country. On Thursday, the Indiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 76 in a decisive 60-28 vote, sending the amended legislation back to the Senate. The bill, which has sparked intense debate inside the Statehouse and protests outside its doors, aims to force local governments and police to fully cooperate with federal immigration agents.
Bill Moves Closer to Becoming Law
The legislation is designed to close what supporters call “loopholes” in Indiana’s existing laws. If signed into law, Senate Bill 76 would require all local law enforcement agencies to honor detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It effectively bans any “sanctuary city” policies that might limit cooperation with federal agents.
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-District 37) defended the move shortly after the vote. He stated that the goal is simply to align state practice with federal expectations.
“We want people who are here legally to stay here legally. We certainly want people who have committed criminal acts, you know, to go through the ICE system. That’s what this is intended for,” Huston said.
The bill originally passed the Senate in late January with a vote of 37–7. However, the House version includes new, stricter amendments. These changes must now be approved by the Senate before the bill can head to the Governor’s desk.
Strengthening Ties with Federal Agents
The driving force behind the bill is a desire to ensure that Indiana does not become a safe haven for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. The bill’s sponsor in the House, Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-District 33), emphasized that the state must have a unified approach to immigration enforcement.
“This bill gets us to a place where we as a state are not a sanctuary state. We are going to cooperate with ICE,” Prescott said during the floor debate.
Under the new provisions, the Indiana Attorney General would gain significant power. The office could sue local governments, colleges, or universities that fail to enforce these immigration statutes. The bill also includes:
- Mandatory Cooperation: Police must hold individuals for ICE if a detainer request is issued.
- Workforce Checks: Stricter requirements for employers to verify the legal status of their workers.
- Welfare Reporting: New mandates for state agencies to report data on non-citizens receiving public benefits.
Supporters argue these measures are necessary to protect public safety and ensure that tax dollars are not supporting those who broke the law to enter the country.
Critics Fear “Excessive Deputization”
Opponents of the bill argue that it goes too far. They believe it forces local police, teachers, and healthcare workers to act as immigration agents. This, they say, will break the trust between immigrant communities and the people meant to serve them.
Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-District 86) delivered a passionate speech against the bill. He warned that the legislation interferes with local control and places undue burdens on essential workers.
“We want to put our local law enforcement people, our school teachers, our hospital workers, under the control of and compel them to comply with the order of people who can’t even show their face? This is what we want?” DeLaney asked his colleagues.
Other critics pointed to the troubled history of federal immigration agencies. Rep. Matt Pierce (D-District 61) urged lawmakers to look at the past behavior of ICE before granting them more authority over Indiana resources.
“Why are we in a hurry to put every level of government at the disposal of this agency with their track record? Open your eyes. You see it,” Pierce said.
Advocacy groups have also raised alarms. They worry that victims of crime in immigrant communities will stop calling the police out of fear that any interaction could lead to deportation.
What Happens Next
The bill is not law yet. Because the House added amendments to the original text, it must return to the Senate. The Senate has two options:
- Concur: They can agree to the House’s changes, sending the bill directly to the Governor.
- Dissent: They can disagree, sending the bill to a conference committee where members from both chambers will try to work out a compromise.
Political analysts expect the Senate to agree with the changes, given the strong support the bill has received from Republican leadership. If passed, the law could take effect later this year, reshaping how Indiana handles immigration enforcement across every county.
Summary: The Indiana House has passed Senate Bill 76, a controversial measure that mandates stricter cooperation with federal immigration authorities. While supporters like Rep. J.D. Prescott argue it ensures Indiana is not a sanctuary state, opponents like Rep. Ed DeLaney fear it turns local workers into federal agents and damages community trust. The bill now returns to the Senate for final approval of the House amendments.
Do you think local police should be required to enforce federal immigration laws? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #IndianaSB76.
