Local Sheriff Under Legal Scrutiny for Ignoring ICE Immigration Arrests
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department, alleging that they have refused to cooperate with federal immigration officials. However, the Sheriff's Department asserts that they maintain regular communications with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and fully comply with all state and federal laws.
In a statement, Rokita accused the Sheriff's Department of refusing to notify ICE about the release of undocumented aliens and not honoring ICE detainers. He emphasized that his office will continue to support local law enforcement but believes that the alleged refusal to detain undocumented migrants could accelerate inbound immigration and increase crime rates.
The Sheriff's Department, on the other hand, denies ever receiving substantive correspondence from Rokita or his office. They reiterate that they inform immigration officials when an individual who is the subject of a detainer or request from ICE will be released. When the jail receives a detainer or request from ICE, staff promptly informs immigration officials about the individual's upcoming release for potential detainment by ICE.
The Sheriff's Department also denies not cooperating with ICE and claims they regularly communicate with them. This contrasts with Rokita's statement that the Sheriff's Department has not spoken to him. The Sheriff's Department states they will now have to defend themselves in court against the State of Indiana.
Examples from other counties like El Paso County show local sheriff’s offices authorizing deputies to assist ICE actively in addressing criminality involving illegal immigrants, highlighting a collaborative relationship with federal immigration authorities. This suggests that it is common for sheriff's departments to engage with ICE, making Rokita's claims of refusal potentially inaccurate or at least inconsistent with the usual practice of communication and cooperation.
Blake Lanning, Assistant Chief Deputy to the Office of the Attorney General, stated that the Sheriff's Department has not complied with detainer requests from ICE. The Sheriff's Department, however, states that neither state nor federal law requires them to enforce federal immigration laws.
Rokita stated that he will hold accountable those who deserve to be held accountable. The Sheriff's Department, in response, states that they will continue to uphold the law and protect the rights of all individuals in their jurisdiction. The lawsuit is currently ongoing, and both parties await a resolution.
The Indiana Attorney General, Todd Rokita, alleges a refusal by the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and notify them about the release of undocumented aliens, which he believes could exacerbate immigration and crime rates. On the contrary, the Sheriff's Department maintains regular communication with ICE, contradicting Rokita's statements about non-cooperation. The discrepancy between Rokita's claims and the usual practice of sheriff's departments engaging with ICE, as demonstrated in El Paso County, raises questions about the accuracy of his statements.
