The Indiana House of Representatives is taking a firm stance on immigration law enforcement with the passage of a new bill that amps up coordination efforts across various levels of government. Senate Bill 76, shepherded through the House by State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), is poised to set a unified standard for how Indiana will comply with federal immigration detainer requests and crack down on entities that limit or restrict the enforcement of immigration laws.
According to a press release from the Indiana House Republicans, proponents of the bill, like Rep. Prescott, believe is is all about clarity, consistency, and public safety. He stated, "Indiana must have a clear and consistent approach to enforcing our immigration laws. This bill strengthens cooperation between all levels of government, ensures accountability and reinforces the rule of law while protecting public safety." The bill details that government entities must comply with detainer requests, record them in case files, and judges are to be notified to ensure this data is reflected in court records.
Under SB 76, government entities and employees are granted immunity when following detainer requests, as long as they stay within federal and state law. The attorney general can take action against non-compliant entities, including civil penalties, court actions, and withholding state funding for up to a year.
SB 76 extends beyond compliance to target employers who hire unauthorized workers. The attorney general can hold employers accountable, and employees are protected from retaliation. The bill also addresses labor trafficking and other human trafficking offenses, according to the Indiana House Republicans.
With the House’s approval, Senate Bill 76 now returns to the Senate for a final review. Details on the bill’s progress and session meetings are available at iga.in.gov.
