Attorney General Rokita files lawsuit against IPS for thwarting federal immigration enforcement

Attorney General Todd Rokita today filed a lawsuit against Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) for its policies and practices that frustrate federal immigration authorities’ ability to enforce federal law and violate Indiana law. 
 
Attorney General Rokita said IPS currently maintains policies that frustrate ICE’s ability to do its job by severely limiting ICE’s access to school grounds and prohibiting IPS employees from assisting or sharing information with ICE. 
 
“Sanctuary policies are bad in any context, but they are especially troubling in our schools,” said Attorney General Rokita. “Schools across the country are vulnerable to infiltration by criminal illegal aliens—it's happened in many other states—and it is essential that ICE be able to take action when that occurs to help keep our kids safe. That’s why my office, with the assistance of AFPI, is suing IPS to enforce compliance with state law and protect Hoosier schoolchildren.” 
 
In January, IPS staff thwarted ICE’s efforts to deport an illegal alien who had voluntarily agreed to leave the country. Despite Attorney General Rokita’s February warning that IPS must discontinue its unlawful policies or face legal action, IPS has continued to defy Indiana’s anti-sanctuary law. 
 
There are many reasons why school cooperation with federal immigration authorities is critically important. ICE is currently attempting to locate the nearly 400,000 unaccompanied alien children whom the Biden Administration released into the United States and who are vulnerable to exploitation by human traffickers. To do so, ICE requires help from school authorities to determine whether and where these minors may be enrolled in school. Similarly, it is essential for ICE to have cooperation from schools when criminal illegal aliens, like MS-13 gang members, infiltrate school locations. IPS policies deny ICE that cooperation and assistance, in flagrant violation of state law. 
 
AFPI, a nonprofit that advances policies putting Americans first, is serving as special counsel in this case. 
 
“Attorney General Rokita is showing exactly the kind of leadership America needs,” said Leigh Ann O’Neill, AFPI’s chief legal affairs officer. “When state attorneys general act boldly to enforce cooperation with federal immigration law, they help protect families, uphold the rule of law, and stop the political gamesmanship that endangers our communities. We’re proud to support this work — and we stand ready to assist other AGs looking to follow Indiana’s lead.” 
 
Indiana law prohibits local government entities—including school districts—from restricting cooperation with ICE or interfering with federal immigration enforcement.  

“We’re fighting to make sure our schools are places of learning, not lawlessness,” said Attorney General Rokita. 

The complaint is attached here. 

Watch Attorney General Rokita and AFPI Executive Director Chad Wolf announce the lawsuit in a video here. 

This news article was provided by the IN Attorney General's Office.