(Statehouse) – Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would require law enforcement to notify federal authorities when they arrest individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order ordering state and local law enforcement to help enforce federal immigration laws.
Supporters of this bill say it gives guidance to local police on how to go about that enforcement. It passed through a committee by a vote of 9-2.
One of those who supports it is Republican Representative Jim Lucas of Seymour.
“My heart goes out to these people that aren’t here legally and come from a place just to get away from it. But after years and years and years of horrible federal immigration policy, the states have to deal with this. It’s not just the states, it’s the local communities that are suffering under the pressure of the open border policy of the past four years,” said Lucas.
The bill has drawn opposition from those concerned about potential racial profiling but has support from those seeking to enforce immigration laws more effectively.
“We can say all we want that it is not based on race, but we know that the majority of people in this country associate undocumented status with people who look like me and who are darker. This is going to give a green light for racial profiling. It is going to stigmatize our community even further and cause irreparable harm,” said a woman named Carolina Castoreno.
A man named Matt McNally agreed with Castoreno. He joined a group of people at a Thursday committee hearing who questioned what would constitute probable cause leading an officer to report someone to ICE.
“What is that reasonable doubt? Is it you don’t have a driver’s license on you? I don’t know how many times you or I walk around the neighborhood without a driver’s license. Do we have to worry about proving our citizenship? I think it’s a legitimate question,” said McNally.
The bill’s author wanted to clear some things up.
“The determination is not made by just pulling a person off the street. The determination is only made after an individual has been arrested for that felony or misdemeanor,” said the bill’s author, Rep. Garrett Bascom (R-District 68-Lawrenceburg).
A man from Crown Point named Greg Serbon explained why he supports the bill.
“Even if you don’t support the bill, why would you want a criminal, maybe a violent alien, to be released back into your community? It doesn’t make any sense to me. So I wholeheartedly support the bill,” said Serbon.
Critics worry that the bill could lead to unintended consequences for individuals without identification, including legal residents and immigrants with refugee status.
(Story by Network Indiana)
