WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter urging Speaker Todd Huston and President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray to enact HB 1531, which was introduced by Rep. J.D. Prescott. HB 1531 strengthens Indiana’s immigration enforcement by requiring law enforcement to honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests, penalizing businesses that violate federal law to hire illegal aliens and enhancing data collection on parole sponsors to ensure that sponsors can uphold their financial obligations.
The letter is cosigned by the following members of the Indiana delegation: Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Representatives Rudy Yakym (IN-2), Marlin Stutzman (IN-3), Jim Baird (IN-4) Mark Messmer (IN-8), and Erin Houchin (IN-9)
In part, the letter reads:
“HB 1531 represents a crucial step forward in updating and strengthening Indiana law to respond to the immigration-related problems that plague our state. Uncontrolled migration has allowed criminal illegal aliens to infiltrate our communities and undermine public safety. HB 1531 would facilitate the removal of these aliens by fortifying Indiana’s existing prohibition on sanctuary policies that shield illegal aliens from deportation and requiring local jails to honor detainers issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
Click here to see the full letter or see text below:
Dear Speaker Huston and President Pro Tempore Bray:
We write in support of HB 1531 and urge the Indiana General Assembly to enact this legislation into law. HB 1531 is a commonsense measure to improve Indiana’s laws concerning immigration—an issue about which Hoosiers are rightfully concerned and on which they expect action from their elected leaders. If enacted, this legislation would go a long way toward addressing many of the immigration-related challenges our state faces.
As you know, the Biden-Harris Administration’s reckless open border policies have imposed substantial costs on Indiana communities. The unsustainable influx of migrants over the past four years has placed a tremendous strain on Indiana schools, hospitals, public safety, and public resources. With the election of President Trump, we have a chance to restore law and order to our immigration system and remediate the damage caused by unrestricted migration under President Biden. Doing so will require sustained effort at both the state and federal levels.
HB 1531 represents a crucial step forward in updating and strengthening Indiana law to respond to the immigration-related problems that plague our state. Uncontrolled migration has allowed criminal illegal aliens to infiltrate our communities and undermine public safety. HB 1531 would facilitate the removal of these aliens by fortifying Indiana’s existing prohibition on sanctuary policies that shield illegal aliens from deportation and requiring local jails to honor detainers issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Fraud and abuse are rampant in the unlawful parole programs created by the Biden-Harris Administration and have burdened our public resources and welfare programs. HB 1531 would give the state a means to monitor potential fraud and abuse and thereby protect taxpayer dollars. Dishonest employers who do not play by the rules create incentives for illegal aliens to come to Indiana by offering them employment. HB 1531 would penalize these employers and empower the state to eliminate the shadow workforce of unauthorized workers that harms law abiding American workers and businesses. In sum, HB 1531 is a sound and thoughtful policy response to serious challenges confronting Hoosiers. The General Assembly should make its passage a priority this session.
For our part, we have been working tirelessly in Congress to provide solutions to the immigration crisis. We co-sponsored and voted for the Laken Riley Act.We engaged in probing oversight of the Biden-Harris Administration’s lawless disregard of our immigration laws. We have written and introduced legislation to undo the damage of the past four years and fix our broken immigration system. Our work to give voice to Hoosiers’ concerns on immigration matters and enact meaningful change at the federal level will continue.
But federal solutions are not enough. States can and should play a key role in restoring integrity to our immigration system and protecting Americans from the social and economic costs of unrestrained migration. There is no reason why Indiana should not be a leader in that effort. Indeed, the interests of our constituents demand that we lead. And HB 1531 is an opportunity for the General Assembly to provide that leadership. We urge its swift passage.
Thank you for leading efforts to combat the consequences of illegal immigration at the state level.
More on the letter can be read here.