INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana law enforcement may soon be required to give federal authorities notice when they arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally.
House Bill 1393 on Thursday drew opposition from those concerned it could ensnare non-white citizens and others with different forms of legal status, but support from those wanting to better enforce the nation’s immigration laws. Lawmakers criss-crossed party lines in an 8-2 committee vote.
That was after the House’s public safety committee softened the language and added more details in a substantial amendment, taken by consent.
In the revised legislation, if a law enforcement officer arrests someone on misdemeanor or felony charges, and has probable cause to believe the arrestee doesn’t have legal permission to be in the country, the officer or their agency must notify the county sheriff during intake. The sheriff must report the information to federal authorities, like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Probable cause, the reasonable and fact-based belief that a crime has been committed, is a higher standard than before. The bill originally required only “reasonable suspicion” — and would’ve applied to people summoned for infractions.
Read more of the Leslie Bonilla Muñiz story for the Indiana Capital Chronicle, here.
