Legislation would toughen enforcement of immigration detainers, employee verification

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A Senate panel on Tuesday advanced a major immigration enforcement bill despite misgivings from both advocates and critics of immigration.

The bill requires all governmental bodies that have custody of someone who is subject to an immigration detainer to comply with the detainer’s requirements and notify any judge that has authority over the person’s release or bail. In addition, the measure prohibits knowingly or recklessly employing someone who lacks legal status. The Family and Social Services Administration also would have to provide lawmakers with data on how many noncitizens use public assistance programs including Medicaid, including the immigration status of each.

Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, killed a similar bill during the last legislative session but wrote this year’s version. She told reporters her version addresses concerns law enforcement raised.

“Our citizens want to understand that our immigration laws that are on the books are being enforced both federally and in the state of Indiana,” she said.

Brown said her bill empowers state agencies, including the attorney general’s office and police, to look into allegations that someone is employing a person who lacks legal status. If state investigators find probable...