Overview
- The Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB 76 on a 6-2 party-line vote, moving the measure to the full Indiana Senate.
- The bill requires employer use of E-Verify, mandates immigration training for law enforcement, compels compliance with federal immigration laws, and authorizes fines of up to $10,000 per violation for agencies.
- It permits the attorney general to represent law enforcement, government bodies or educational institutions sued over immigration actions and removes the mens rea standard for those entities in certain immigration-related violations.
- Provisions direct the Department of Correction to train sheriffs-elect on cooperation with ICE, require reporting to lawmakers on noncitizens receiving specified state benefits, and call for DHS notification when probable cause of unlawful hiring is found.
- Sheriffs and some state police officials voiced support as formalizing current practices, while immigrant advocates warned of profiling risks and eroded trust, and Attorney General Todd Rokita opposed the bill as a weakened approach that could shield sanctuary jurisdictions.