Miller opposes Senate immigration bill

Today, Feb. 12, Senate Bill 76 passed out of the House by a vote of 61-28 and now heads back to the Senate with amendments. The bill aims to align state entities with current federal policy regarding undocumented immigration. It would bar schools, government bodies, and public universities from enacting any measures to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It would also empower Indiana’s attorney general to seek civil suits of up to $10,000 for violating the new rules.

State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement on SB 76’s passage:

“Senate Bill 76 will allow poorly trained federal agents to walk into classrooms, government buildings and university campuses and arrest people in broad daylight, often for little more than the color of their skin. Additionally, it would require local governments to comply with federal detainer requests, which would occupy space in jails that local municipalities need to detain violent criminals.

“This is an unnecessary and cruel bill. Masked men in unmarked vehicles are already terrorizing communities across the nation; the last thing Hoosiers need is for their state government to be helping these agents along their way.”