Evansville, Ind. — A new bill under consideration by the Indiana House of Representatives could mandate that county sheriff’s offices partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement. Currently, such cooperation is voluntary, but House Bill 1158 would change that, making it a requirement for sheriff’s offices across the state.
Sheriff Bruce Vanoven of Gibson County, along with other sheriffs from across Indiana, recently visited lawmakers in Indianapolis to express their views on the bill. In his testimony, Vanoven emphasized that while his office supports ICE, just as it does other federal agencies, his deputies would not be extending their duties beyond the confines of the Gibson County Jail to enforce immigration laws.
“We are agents of peace,” Vanoven said. “Our focus is on building communities of trust, and that’s what we’re most concerned about. If someone breaks Indiana law, we will enforce it. But our priority remains the safety and trust of our community.”
The bill proposes a program in which ICE would train local law enforcement to serve warrants on undocumented immigrants who are already incarcerated in local jails. Currently, local officers are not involved in the enforcement of federal immigration laws unless they choose to cooperate with ICE.
However, the bill’s passage hinges on a key factor: cost. State officials have stated that the financial implications of the program are still unclear, which has delayed a vote on the matter.
Sheriff Vanoven explained that his office remains neutral on the bill itself, neither fully supporting nor opposing it. The sheriff reiterated that his primary concern is ensuring that the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office maintains its commitment to fostering community trust and cooperation, especially in immigrant communities.
This bill, which would expand ICE’s reach into local law enforcement operations, has sparked a larger debate across the state about the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. Some view it as a necessary step in addressing illegal immigration, while others worry it could erode the relationship between police and immigrant communities, making individuals less likely to report crimes or cooperate with authorities.
As discussions continue, law enforcement agencies like the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office are carefully weighing the bill’s potential impact on both their operational priorities and the communities they serve. The House is expected to revisit the bill once the cost and logistics are more clearly defined.
