By State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper)
When local governments disregard current state law by helping to hide illegal immigrants, they put our communities and public safety at risk.
For years, the General Assembly has worked to ensure immigration laws are enforced in Indiana, including the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 590 in 2011, which I voted for, which prohibits local governments and their employees from refusing to communicate or cooperate with federal immigration officials.
The Indiana Supreme Court invalidated a portion of this law after it was challenged based on who was allowed to bring the case to court.
This year, I co-authored Senate Enrolled Act 181 in order to clarify this situation.
This law addresses the 2022 court case by amending Indiana law to give the Indiana attorney general standing to ensure municipalities, colleges and universities across the state follow current law banning sanctuary cities and sanctuary universities, and cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
This law will go into effect on July 1.
In recent years, we have seen a lack of leadership from the federal government in fulfilling its duty to protect the border. That's why I support the governor's recent decision to send 50 Guardsmen from the Indiana National Guard to Texas to help secure the southern boarder.
In months ahead, I will continue to pray for these men and women as they work diligently to protect all Hoosiers.
Constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Messmer website or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
