Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is scrutinizing immigration policies in two Indiana counties, St. Joseph and Lake, as he claims they may not be following state and federal immigration enforcement guidelines.
Last month, Rokita’s office issued letters to both St. Joseph County and the South Bend Police Department, asserting that their policies might limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, particularly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE.
The Attorney General’s office has requested that both St. Joseph County and South Bend Police turn over documents outlining their immigration-related policies, with the threat of potential legal action if noncompliance is found.
Rokita warned that any policies restricting communication with or enforcement of federal immigration policies would be met with corrective measures to align them with state law.
St. Joseph County Police refuted these claims, stating they do not have any policies that restrict officers or jail staff from engaging with ICE, nor do they operate under any form of “sanctuary city policy.
The South Bend Police Department and city officials have also responded, emphasizing that they adhere to federal and state laws and will cooperate with the investigation, though they labeled it misguided.
Rokita is also currently involved in a lawsuit against the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for similar reasons, as it allegedly failed to provide information about its immigration policies upon request.