Lake County Sheriff’s Department now cooperating with ICE
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department has reversed course and is now cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, as required by state law. Lake County previously refused cooperation with ICE and has been involved in on-going consultations with federal immigration authorities.
Attorney General Rokita sent two letters in recent months to the Lake County sheriff warning that a lawsuit would ensue if the Department continued defying state law by limiting its officers’ cooperation with ICE officials.
Last year, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law authorizing the attorney general to file lawsuits against any Indiana colleges, universities, or units of local government that do not comply with Indiana’s ban on sanctuary jurisdictions— entities that deliberately and intentionally restrict and obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Attorney General Rokita recently sued the Monroe Country Sheriff’s Department and the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department over their persistent practice of refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. He says he will continue to evaluate units of local government and will take action as warranted to ensure compliance with state law.
