Gov. Mike Braun ceremonially signed Senate Enrolled Act 76 (SEA 76), the FAIRNESS Act, a new law that expands Indiana’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities on June 2.
SEA 76, the FAIRNESS Act, short for Fostering and Advancing Immigration Reforms Necessary to Ensure Safety and Security, requires every governmental body in Indiana to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests and prohibits any state or local entity from adopting a sanctuary policy that restricts cooperation with federal immigration officials.
“On day one as Governor, I made clear that Indiana would not be a safe haven for illegal immigration. With the FAIRNESS Act, we are taking the next step in partnering with federal authorities to enforce the most fundamental laws of our country and protect Hoosier communities,” Braun said in a statement.
Braun was joined at the signing by the bill’s author, Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne), Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.
“My Indiana FAIRNESS – Forging American Independence, Restoring National Exceptionalism Safely and Securely – Act protects our sovereignty by combating illegal immigration,” Brown said. “Our cities, universities and employers all must promote policies that put Hoosiers first. I was proud to work with law enforcement and my colleagues to get this legislation right so it can be effective immediately.”
The law requires sheriffs and police departments to notify the judge authorized to make bail decisions when a person in their custody is the subject of an immigration detainer, prior to release decisions being made.
According to a press release, Braun also took action to revoke all CDLs from alleged illegal immigrants and penalize companies who employ them, as well as partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement on Operation Midway Blitz to remove alleged illegal residents driving trucks from Indiana’s roadways.
SEA 76 also prohibits Indiana employers from knowingly recruiting, hiring, or employing individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States. Employers who use E-Verify or a comparable federal verification program are exempt from liability.
According to state officials, the law grants the attorney general authority to investigate and pursue alleged violations by local governments and employers.
For more information visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/news-releases/.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
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