The Issue: Immigration Matters – Senate Bill 76

January 8, 2026

The Indiana Senate is working on a bill that would have extremely negative consequences for Indiana’s educational institutions, law enforcement, our immigrant neighbors, and our communities. Senate Bill 76 Immigration Matters would do the following:

Allow law enforcement, government bodies, and public educational institutions to use state funds and be defended by the attorney general if any of those institutions would face lawsuits regarding action they took in complying with Indiana’s immigration enforcement law.
Allow all levels of law enforcement (local, state, federal) to enforce federal immigration laws. This component of the bill would require additional training for local law enforcement personnel and ultimately detract from their regular law enforcement responsibilities.
If an entity was found to be in violation of the enforcement law, it would allow
- the attorney general to sue to halt the violation and apply fines.
- the governor to withhold state funding (grants, appropriations) an institution normally receives from the state.
Requires any governmental body that is detaining someone to comply with an ICE detainer request and requires judges to record that request in the individual’s case.
Prohibits employers from “recklessly or intentionally” hiring undocumented workers, requiring them to report employees to DHS and to protect whistleblowers.
Requires a report of all undocumented individuals who are enrolled in or receiving state benefits (medicaid, food stamps, etc).
Mandates the department of corrections to train any sheriff elect in cooperating with ICE.

This bill does nothing to benefit Indiana residents who are in full compliance with State and Federal laws. In fact, having local law enforcement work with ICE personnel dilutes their ability to be effective in their own communities.

We are asking people to call or write to the judiciary committee members to let them know your concerns about this bill.

Sample Letter:

Dear Senator,

I urge you to please vote no on SB 76 Immigration Matters. I have many concerns about this bill, including [add your concerns here].

Please keep federal immigration laws and enforcement where it belongs–at the federal level.

Sen. Liz Brown (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/brown)

Sen. Eric Koch (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/koch)

Sen. Scott Alexander (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/alexander)

Sen. James Buck (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/buck)

Sen. Cyndi Carrasco (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/carrasco)

Sen. Brett Clark (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/clark)

Sen. Aaron Freeman (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/freeman)