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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against the St. Joseph County Police Department, alleging it is not fully complying with state law prohibiting sanctuary city policies by failing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit, announced Friday, accuses the department of ignoring detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a claim the department denies.

AG Rokita: St. Joseph County "A Magnet" for Illegal Activity

At a press conference, Rokita alleged that the St. Joseph County Police Department's non-cooperation with ICE enables unauthorized immigrants who commit crimes to remain in the community.

“This deliberate decision to not cooperate with federal immigration authorities is giving safe harbor to criminal aliens that need to be removed,” Rokita said. “It’s sad, but the local law enforcement here has become part of the problem.”

The complaint cites ICE’s June 2024 designation of the department as a "non-cooperative law enforcement agency," alleging the department released individuals subject to ICE detainer requests. Rokita claims nine detainer requests were ignored between March and September 2024, with four additional requests disregarded since December.

St. Joseph County Police Push Back

The St. Joseph County Police Department strongly refuted Rokita's claims in a Facebook post on Friday, stating it had not been notified of the lawsuit prior to the press conference and had yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

“We regularly communicate with ICE,” the department said, adding that it informs immigration officials when individuals subject to ICE detainers are due to be released. The department emphasized it complies with state and federal law but noted it is not required to enforce federal immigration statutes.

The department also contested Rokita’s claims of prior communication with Sheriff William Redman, calling the allegations “false.”

Broader Implications and Legal Precedent

Rokita’s lawsuit follows similar litigation by his office to enforce Indiana laws prohibiting sanctuary policies. He cited past cases involving Monroe County and cooperation with cities like Gary and East Chicago to bring them into compliance.

“My office will not stop until the law is followed,” Rokita said, urging St. Joseph County to collaborate and pledging to drop the lawsuit if the department complies.

The legal battle underscores the ongoing tension between state and local authorities over immigration enforcement, with Indiana’s laws requiring local governments to cooperate with federal agencies coming under scrutiny.

Next Steps

Indiana is represented in the lawsuit by Todd Rokita and attorneys from the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. Counsel for Sheriff Redman and the St. Joseph County Police Department has not been identified.

The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for how local law enforcement agencies in Indiana navigate their relationships with federal immigration authorities.