Attorney General warns: Blocking sheriff’s cooperation with ICE would be illegal, fuel Indy crime surge

Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a warning to the Indianapolis-Marion City-County Council that using budget cuts to restrict the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would violate Indiana law and threaten public safety.

On September 3, 2025, the Council’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee discussed proposals to limit MCSO’s 2026 budget to prevent the sheriff’s office from providing detention space to ICE.
 
In a letter sent this week, Attorney General Rokita emphasized that Indiana law prohibits local governments from restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Such actions would be unlawful and could prompt enforcement by the Attorney General’s office.
 
“Cutting the Sheriff’s budget to block ICE cooperation is illegal and would endanger Indianapolis residents,” said Attorney General Rokita. “With crime surging in our capital, it is remarkable that some councilors are actually pushing policies that would help shield illegal aliens, including those who commit crimes, from being deported. If the Council goes down this path, my office will act swiftly to enforce the law and keep Hoosiers safe.”
 
For nearly 30 years, MCSO has supported federal authorities by providing detention space at the Marion County Adult Detention Center for federal prisoners, including illegal aliens awaiting deportation. This cooperation ensures ICE can effectively enforce U.S. immigration laws.

“Whether illegal aliens should be deported is not up for debate. Indiana is not a sanctuary state,” said Attorney General Rokita. “We stand for law and order and will not allow local government entities to play political games that undermine public safety. I applaud Sheriff Forestal for his ongoing cooperation with ICE and will not hesitate to enforce state law to ensure he is able to continue doing so.”

The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee will revisit MCSO’s budget on September 24, 2025. Attorney General Rokita’s office will monitor the meeting and subsequent actions to ensure compliance with Indiana law.
 
Read the letter here.