Indiana
A high-level overview of immigration enforcement activity, school protection policies, and resources for families and educators in Indiana.
Overview
State context
Indiana has taken a hostile posture toward sanctuary policies. HEA 1050 (2011) prohibits local sanctuary policies. The state has generally cooperated with federal immigration enforcement. Indianapolis has a significant and growing immigrant community but operates under state-imposed restrictions on local policy.
ICE activity
ICE is active in Indiana, particularly in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and communities tied to agriculture and meatpacking in northern Indiana. The state's anti-sanctuary stance facilitates cooperation between local and federal enforcement.
School policies
State law significantly limits the ability of districts to adopt formal sanctuary-type policies. Indianapolis Public Schools and some other urban districts have worked to maintain welcoming environments within legal constraints, but formal warrant-based policies are not in place.
Notes for advocates
Indiana's immigrant population is concentrated in Indianapolis and in smaller cities in the northern part of the state. The meatpacking industry in communities like Logansport has historically employed many immigrant workers. Advocates face a challenging legal environment and focus on legal representation and direct service.
Is your district protected?
Find out whether your school district has a warrant-based policy in place, and what you can do if it doesn't.