Braun: Designated state law agencies given immigration enforcement powers

INDIANAPOLIS -- Officials with the office of Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced that several state entities have entered agreements with federal authorities surrounding immigration enforcement in the state of Indiana.




Some of these agreements, outlined in a news release from Braun's office on Friday, allow designated state law enforcement officers to perform immigration enforcement functions.




Agencies involved in the federal agreements include the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Department of Correction and the Indiana National Guard. Officials said these agencies will assist in deporting individuals who are unlawfully in the United States.




This comes after Braun signed an immigration-related executive order in late January, which directed law enforcement agencies throughout the state to fully cooperate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, or ICE.

"Indiana is not a safe haven for illegal immigration. Indiana will fully partner with federal immigration authorities as they enforce the most fundamental laws of our country," Braun said in the release.




The release said that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security approved a 287(g) agreement with ICE. This "task force" model allows designated officers to "perform immigration enforcement functions such as arrests, issuing detainers, taking and maintaining custody and operating as a joint task force with ICE." The Indiana State Police also entered into a similar agreement for collaboration with ICE.




Under the agreement with the Indiana Department of Correction, it is expected to allow certain personnel to assist with immigration enforcement in jails and correctional facilities. The release said this includes identifying and deporting individuals unlawfully in the United States who have been arrested and booked into Indiana correctional facilities.








The release said that the Indiana Department of Correction is working with ICE to make up to 1,000 beds available at the Miami Correctional Facility, located north of Kokomo.




According to previous reports, federal officials confirmed last month that Camp Atterbury, a military base located near Edinburgh, will be available for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to house detained migrants subject to deportation.




In the release, Braun's office said that the state of Indiana is "anticipating further partnership" between the Indiana National Guard and federal immigration authorities through the Camp Atterbury site.





via: https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/braun-designated-state-law-agencies-given-immigration-enforcement-powers/