Indiana Senate Passes Bill Requiring Local Police to Cooperate with ICE

The bill allows local and state police to enforce federal immigration laws and mandates cooperation with ICE.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:23pm

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The Indiana Senate has given final approval to a bill that would allow local and state police to enforce federal immigration laws and require Indiana law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. The bill also prohibits employers from hiring unauthorized immigrants and requires the state to report data on non-citizens enrolled in public assistance programs.

Why it matters

This bill is part of a broader debate over the role of state and local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. Proponents argue it will help address illegal immigration, while critics say it will lead to the militarization of cities and the targeting of immigrant communities.

The details

Senate Bill 76 states that the enforcement of federal immigration laws may be carried out by federal, state or local law enforcement. It requires the Indiana Department of Correction to provide training to all sheriffs-elect on how to cooperate with ICE. The bill also prohibits employers from hiring unauthorized immigrants and requires the state to report data on non-citizens enrolled in public assistance programs. If a law enforcement officer, government body or educational institution is sued, the attorney general shall defend the party.

  • The Indiana Senate gave final approval to the bill on January 27, 2026.
  • The vote came two days after ICE agents fatally shot a Veterans Affairs nurse in Minneapolis.

The players

Liz Brown

The Indiana state senator who authored Senate Bill 76.

Andrea Hunley

An Indiana state senator who opposed the bill, citing concerns about the actions of ICE agents.

Mike Gaskill

An Indiana state senator who supported the bill, arguing that it would help prevent the kind of chaos seen in Minneapolis.

Shelli Yoder

An Indiana state senator who opposed the bill, arguing that it would have "devastating consequences" for local communities.

Todd Rokita

The Indiana Attorney General who criticized the bill as a "watered-down, bizarro" version of a previous immigration bill.

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What they’re saying

“This state has always been on the side of law enforcement.”

— Liz Brown, State Senator (Chicago Tribune)

“We've seen time and time again that the current armed militia that's acting on behalf of the United States government is poorly trained. I can't get behind aligning ourselves with the chaos that's being sown all over our country by ICE agents.”

— Andrea Hunley, State Senator (Chicago Tribune)

“We've got people out there every day trying to enforce laws and they're being called Nazis. They're being attacked violently. They're attempted to be run over by cars.”

— Mike Gaskill, State Senator (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The bill now moves to the Indiana House of Representatives, where it will be sponsored by State Rep. Chris Jeter and State Rep. J.D. Prescott.

The takeaway

This bill reflects the ongoing debate over the role of state and local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. Supporters argue it will help address illegal immigration, while critics say it will lead to the targeting of immigrant communities and the militarization of cities.