Jackson passes amendment to allow ICE detainees to challenge their detainment

Today, Feb. 10, the Indiana House of Representatives adopted Amendment 19 to Senate Bill 76. The amendment, authored by State Rep. Carolyn B. Jackson (D-Indianapolis), would allow U.S. citizens detained by ICE to challenge their detainment. Jackson also offered an amendment to allow detainees to seek damages up to $10,000 for wrongful detainment, but that amendment was rejected by a vote of 31-63.

Jackson released the following statement on the acceptance of Amendment 19:

“I’m very proud that Amendment 19 was adopted to give U.S. citizens recourse if they are wrongfully detained by ICE. We’ve already seen many wrongful ICE detainments across the nation, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that Hoosiers don’t fall victim to that kind of government overreach. This amendment is a necessary step toward that goal. 

“While I’m glad that my colleagues have accepted Amendment 19, I’m disappointed that my other amendment was not adopted. Amendment 37 would have allowed those wrongfully detained to seek financial damages for the time they spent in custody. Being wrongfully detained or misidentified can come with significant financial loss if someone is forced to miss work. People deserve to be able to seek compensation if they are detained unlawfully simply because of their appearance, accent or skin color. SB 76 is a dangerous piece of legislation, and all my amendments would have ensured fairer treatment for all Hoosiers in the face of its provisions.”

Republicans defeat effort to protect law enforcement undue liability

Today, Feb. 10, State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to Senate Bill 76 to protect local law enforcement officers from being put into situations where they are detaining individuals longer than is legal. The amendment failed by a vote of 34-61. 

Gore, a high-ranking sheriff's deputy, issued the following statement:

“This amendment is about keeping our officers, sheriffs, and jail staff out of hot water—legally, operationally, and financially. Senate Bill 76 ties release decisions to being able to present a passport or a U.S. birth certificate. That may sound simple on paper, but in the real world of policing and jail operations, it creates serious problems. 

“Many people are here in this country legally but are not citizens—green card holders, visa holders, refugees, asylees. Under the current bill language, those individuals could be held longer than legally justified simply because they don’t have a passport or birth certificate in their pocket when they’re arrested. That doesn’t make sense.

“We ask a lot of our law enforcement officers. The least we can do is make sure the laws we pass don’t set them up for failure. This will protect the men and women wearing the badge from being put in an impossible position—forced to choose between releasing someone improperly or holding someone unlawfully.

“My amendment would have fixed that by replacing a citizenship test with a lawful-status standard, which is how federal law actually works. It also removes an artificially narrow list of documents that would otherwise force jails to hold people solely because of missing paperwork.

“Indiana’s police chiefs and sheriffs were supportive of this measure to protect our public safety agencies. I am deeply disappointed that my Republican colleagues chose not to listen to the law enforcement officers who serve their communities."

DeLaney amendments to protect Hoosiers from harmful provisions in ICE bill rejected

Today, Feb. 10, State Rep. Ed DeLaney offered a series of amendments to Senate Bill 76 to make hospital police, university police and school resource officers exempt from coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain people suspected of being in the country illegally. The amendments were all rejected. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement:

“School resource officers should not be expected to grab children out of classrooms. Campus police officers should not be forced to snatch students on their way to a lecture. Officers protecting hospitals should not be tasked with detaining people seeking health care. This is an outrageous overreach of government that puts local law enforcement in impossible positions. We ought to show our respect for local law enforcement, but forcing a task upon police that is offensive to the people they serve is not respect. 

“These amendments would simply protect peace in places that are meant to be sanctuaries. Unfortunately, chaos and violence seem to be prevailing.”

Additionally, DeLaney offered an amendment that would require violent criminals to serve their sentence in Indiana before being deported to another country. That amendment was defeated. 

“It is against Hoosier values to allow violent criminals to walk free in their country of origin. If someone commits a violent crime against my neighbor, I want them to be held accountable and serve their sentence in the State of Indiana, not shirk responsibility when they get deported. Victims of violent crimes deserve no less.” 

Harris amendment to support businesses rejected by supermajority

Today, Indiana House Republicans rejected an amendment to Senate Bill 76, offered by State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago). The amendment would have removed a provision that would have penalized employers for having undocumented workers on their payroll. It was voted down by a vote of 41-55.

Harris issued the following statement following the vote:

"Indiana's economy thrives on small businesses, manufacturing and agriculture. It is imperative that we prevent any action that could penalize entrepreneurs and employers for hiring reliable workers to help them operate. The employer provision in this bill could jeopardize not only small businesses throughout the state, but Indiana's fiscal stability and long-term economic growth.

"If more legislators really cared about our economy and workforce, they would have passed this amendment to protect employers, workers and our vital institutions from overreach."

Dant Chesser thanks Mayor Moore for his public service

State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) released the following statement congratulating Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore on his retirement: 

“Mayor Moore has made a lasting impact on Jeffersonville. His career has been defined by vision, common-sense policies and unprecedented economic growth. Mike and I worked together extensively to create high-quality jobs in our community. He has been a key partner in ensuring that residents benefit from the ripple effects of economic development. 

“While we didn’t always agree on policy, I always knew where he stood and that his interests were firmly rooted in the betterment of Jeffersonville. We have, and hopefully always will, communicate through our concerns to collaborate. 

“I am grateful for his leadership and for the many years he’s dedicated to our community. I wish him a wonderful retirement full of time with his family and growing grandchildren.” 

Porter passes amendment increasing financial transparency at Miami Correctional Facility

Today, Feb. 10, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) successfully amended Senate Bill 76. Porter’s amendment requires the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) to report how much money was spent or made from its 287(g) agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report must include information about the $15.79 million allocated for the detention center at Miami Correctional Facility. 

Porter released the following statement: 

“This is about fiscal oversight and transparency. Republicans opened the budget and gave the IDOC $15.8 million for a detention center. That money could have been spent on the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) or the other waiver waitlists. We need an update on how that money is being spent, especially since it’s in partnership with ICE. 

“We’re watching ICE violate people’s constitutional rights on the national news. Every dollar the state spends on that organization needs oversight. I don’t want this to be like the IEDC, where Republicans give millions away and have no interest in following the paper trail.

“To me, the most frightening thing is that the state could profit from this agreement. The state is relying on the number of detainees and the per diem rate for reimbursement. It’s an incentive to lock up as many people as possible to get as much money as possible. 

“We have a responsibility to be good fiscal stewards with taxpayers' money. I’m grateful Republicans chose transparency today.” 

DeLaney inspired by student advocacy

Over the last few weeks, students across the Indianapolis area have acted to protest violence committed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis), a member of the education committee,  issued the following statement:

“Throughout American history, students have been exercising their First Amendment right to be at the forefront of peacefully protesting to bring about social change. I appreciate that young Hoosiers are engaged in issues of consequence to their generation. These Hoosier students have the right to use their voice to stand against the injustice being wrought against our immigrant communities by ICE, particularly when ICE impacts our schools.  

“It is not the place of the school to stymie student expression, but study is important. I urge students and school administration to collaborate to minimize academic disruption while students continue to pursue these complex topics. This is an opportunity to find creative solutions that encourage civil discourse and civic engagement amongst this upcoming generation. Let’s use this opportunity. 

“I am inspired by the student activism I have seen from high schoolers in my district and throughout the state. Young people being this engaged is worthy of applause, not scolding.”

Op-Ed: Fear does not equal good policy

Title: Fear does not equal good policy

By: Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville)

Word Count: 615

The Indiana General Assembly should be focused on solving real problems for Hoosiers, not fighting proxy battles for the federal government. Yet political divisiveness remains convenient, and too often it blinds lawmakers to what actually serves Indiana’s best interests. We are sent to Indianapolis to be the voice of reason for our communities, not to chase headlines or rehearse national talking points.

Right now, immigration has become the centerpiece of a misguided state agenda that wrongly paints our neighbors as a drain on taxpayers and a burden on public services. That framing leans on fear and exclusion instead of facts. Immigrants are part of why communities across Indiana are growing, working and moving forward.

Does implementing aggressive state immigration policies solve anything? No. It fractures families, disrupts communities and distracts us from meaningful reform.

Immigration touches nearly every corner of our economy - health care, manufacturing, agriculture and construction, to name a few. These industries rely on real people doing real work that keeps Indiana running. Yet we continue to debate policies that treat human beings as statistics or political leverage instead of neighbors deserving dignity.

Legislative decisions driven by fear, misinformation or national rhetoric do not strengthen our state. They shatter families. They deepen mistrust. And, they move us further away from practical solutions.

Let me be clear: there is a better way to approach immigration policy without being cruel, irrational or disruptive. Senate Bill 76 is political messaging disguised as reform. It inserts Indiana into a complicated federal system without offering meaningful solutions. At the same time, it suggests that our law enforcement agencies are somehow failing in their duties. That is a disservice to the men and women who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe.

There has been no comprehensive economic study evaluating how SB 76 would affect Indiana. That matters. We should understand how immigrant workers contribute to our workforce and tax base, but we must also recognize that their value extends far beyond economics. These are families, neighbors and community members. They deserve to be treated with dignity, not reduced to talking points.

Meanwhile, Indiana is still owed an undisclosed amount of federal funding for housing detainees at the Miami Correctional Facility. Hoosiers are footing the bill while Washington delays reimbursement. That is a serious fiscal issue, yet it receives far less attention than political theater.

All of this is happening while families across Indiana struggle with child care costs, housing affordability and access to health care. People are losing faith in government - yes, even at the state level - because they see energy poured into symbolic fights while everyday needs go unmet.

We are trying to renovate a house built on a cracked foundation. If we keep patching around the edges instead of addressing the system as a whole, the damage will only spread. Immigration reform requires thoughtful, comprehensive action at the federal level, not piecemeal state measures that divide communities and strain resources.

Indiana should be competing to improve quality of life, strengthen our workforce and support families - not racing toward policies that create fear, instability and resentment. When people come here to work, raise families and contribute to our communities, they are pursuing the same promise that built this country. The message should not be: the American Dream for me, but not for you.

I am fighting for every Hoosier because Indiana is our home. My responsibility is to protect the people who live, work and build their lives here. All of them. We can take a step back, reject harmful distractions, and pursue real, actionable solutions that strengthen our communities instead of dividing them.

That is the work Hoosiers deserve.

Pryor celebrates withdrawal of Pike Township data center petition

This week, American Tower Corporation withdrew plans to build a data center in Pike Township. The petition’s withdrawal comes amid heavy neighborhood opposition. Though American Tower Corporation stated it may resume planning after the City of Indianapolis sets data center regulations, the citizens of the township can breathe easy for the time being.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement on the withdrawal after attending a community meeting on Tuesday night:

"This week, we saw the impact of a community coming together to make their voices heard. The voices of Pike Township were loud and clear: Data centers should not be allowed to set up shop as they see fit in residential communities and locations that the people do not support.

“I want to thank the community and leaders in Pike Township for their advocacy and determination. This is a win for our community. Now more than ever, Hoosiers need more affordable utilities, groceries and property taxes. I urge my constituents and Hoosiers across the state to stay informed on this issue and remember that their voices matter.”

Jackson presents resolution honoring the partnership between the Province of Quebec and the State of Indiana

Yesterday, Feb. 4, House Concurrent Resolution 8 honoring the longstanding partnership between the Province of Quebec and the State of Indiana was presented to Quebec Delegate Jean-François Hould. The resolution, authored by State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), recognizes the enduring friendship and the decades of cultural and economic collaboration between the two regions. The year 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of Quebec’s inclusion as an international affiliate member of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). 

“Having served on the Canada Relations Committee for the Council of State Governments since 2024, I have come to understand how Canada and specifically Quebec continue to be a good resource for Indiana and how connected we are," Jackson said. "Indiana’s relationship with Quebec represents the best of what cross-border partnerships can achieve. As members of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus, we have many shared interests such as water management, sustainability, tourism and commerce in the region. Our state economy is significantly boosted by our friendship with our northern neighbors as they are the third-largest international buyer of Indiana’s auto industry and the top provider of Indiana’s paper products. 

“In an increasingly interconnected world, relationships like ours with Quebec remind us that cooperation and mutual respect create opportunities for everyone.

“I would like to thank my coauthor in the House, State Rep. David Abbott, as well as my cosponsors in the Senate, Sen. Mike Bohacek and Sen. Andrea Hunley.”

GiaQuinta mourns “Hoosier hero” Rep. Lee Hamilton

Former Democratic United States Rep. Lee Hamilton died Feb. 3 in Bloomington, Indiana at the age of 94. He served Indiana's ninth congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1965-1999. Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement regarding Hamilton's passing:

"Rep. Lee Hamilton was a Hoosier hero who dedicated his life to service and bolstering national security. Throughout his 34 years serving in Congress Rep. Hamilton worked across the aisle for the benefit of his fellow Americans, something politicians from our city halls to the halls of Congress should always strive to do.  As a lawmaker, Hamilton dedicated much of his work in D.C. and after leaving Congress toward strengthening American democracy through civic engagement.

"After he left Congress in 1999, his work still wasn't done. In 2002, former President George W. Bush appointed Hamilton as the vice-chairman of the 9/11 Commission. He also went on to start the Indiana University Center on Representative Government as the Center on Congress in 1999. From Washington, D.C. to Bloomington, Rep. Hamilton's dedication to public service has made Indiana, and our nation, stronger."

Hatcher thankful for the defeat of bill legalizing execution by firing squad

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, House Bill 1119 failed to pass with a constitutional majority with a vote of 48 to 47. The bill was not called down again before the third reading deadline, defeating the legislation.  If passed, HB 1119 would have legalized the use of firing squads to carry out the death penalty. 

State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) issued the following statement: 

“As a former prosecutor, I’m thankful this bill failed. It has no place in our justice system, which is centered on a mutual respect for human life. Our justice system isn’t about retribution. 

“The death penalty is a flawed, irrevocable practice. Race, socioeconomic class and the skill of an attorney all play a role in every conviction. Our justice system isn’t perfect. The system isn’t immune to bias or mistakes, and once a life is taken it can’t be returned. Hundreds of individuals sentenced to death have exonerated with additional DNA testing or with new evidence.

“This bill would expedite executions, and that’s not what we need. Indiana corrections should be about justice and rehabilitation, not about finding the cheapest, most efficient, most painful way for the state to kill someone. 

“Indiana’s goal should always be fairness and respect in our treatment of every person. There is nothing fair or respectful about a painful death at the hands of a firing squad.”