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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:icalendar-ruby
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:Attorney General Todd Rokita demands Merrillville cease ille
 gal interference with Federal Immigration Enforcement
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Indiana (East)
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260914T001043Z
UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_53293310563971
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260629
DESCRIPTION:Attorney General Todd Rokita demands Merrillville cease \nilleg
 al interference with Federal Immigration Enforcement\n\nAttorney General T
 odd Rokita recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Town Council of 
 the Town of Merrillville\, warning that its actions to block U.S. Immigrat
 ion and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from establishing new detention space vi
 olate state law and undermine public safety. \n \n“As I’ve made very c
 lear\, Indiana will not tolerate any kind of sanctuary-style obstruction o
 f immigration enforcement from local government officials\,” said Attorn
 ey General Rokita. “Merrillville’s efforts to sabotage ICE’s attempt
 s to create new detention space for illegal aliens are unlawful. Under the
  FAIRNESS Act and Indiana’s anti-sanctuary laws\, local officials cannot
  impede federal authorities’ efforts to crack down on illegal immigratio
 n and carry out mass deportations. If they don't change course immediately
 \, we will hold them accountable.” \n \nOn January 27\, 2026\, the Merri
 llville Town Council enacted Resolution No. 26-02\, declaring opposition t
 o the creation of any new ICE processing or detention facilities within th
 e Town. Council President Rick Bella reinforced the town’s stance in a p
 ublic message\, ordinances emphasizing that the Town Council’s position 
 is that “Merrillville is not an appropriate location for such a facility
 .”   \n \nSince then\, reports received by the Attorney General’s Offi
 ce indicate that Merrillville officials have contacted property owners and
  entities involved in potential ICE real estate transactions to discourage
  deals\, causing fear among some property owners that they will face retal
 iation if they sell property to ICE. Multiple transactions reportedly fell
  through as a result. \n \nThese actions unlawfully limit and restrict fed
 eral immigration enforcement efforts. Federal statutes authorize ICE to ac
 quire and operate detention facilities\, and the Supremacy Clause of the U
 .S. Constitution preempts conflicting local restrictions. \n\nAttorney Gen
 eral Rokita’s action aligns with other statewide initiatives to support 
 federal immigration enforcement. The state of Indiana has partnered with I
 CE to expand detention capacity at the Miami Correctional Facility\, helpi
 ng strengthen public safety across Indiana. Merrillville’s obstructionis
 t approach stands in direct opposition to those efforts. Enhanced immigrat
 ion enforcement requires more detention space\, and Merrillville is attemp
 ting to prevent the creation of new detention capacity. That is not permis
 sible under Indiana law.   \n \nThe Office of Attorney General’s letter 
 demands that Merrillville immediately: \n\nRescind Resolution No. 26-02\; 
  Cease all efforts to discourage or interfere with real estate transaction
 s between ICE and local property owners\; and  Issue a public statement as
 suring property owners that the Town will not oppose any real estate trans
 actions with ICE or retaliate against property owners who engage in those 
 transactions. \n\nFailure to comply by July 15\, 2026\, will result in leg
 al action\, including a lawsuit to compel compliance and seek civil penalt
 ies. \n\nThe full demand letter is available here. \n\nA headshot of Attor
 ney General Rokita is available for download.\n\n###
LOCATION:
SUMMARY:Attorney General Todd Rokita demands Merrillville cease illegal 
 interference with Federal Immigration Enforcement
URL;VALUE=URI:https://events.in.gov/event/attorney-general-todd-rokitademan
 ds-merrillvillecease-illegalinterference-with-federal-immigration-enforcem
 ent
CATEGORIES:Press Releases
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR