Advocates urged policy change on immigration detention at the Marion County Jail during an event Tuesday night.
Carlos Moran with Faith in Indiana said the practice impacts people in Indianapolis.
“I have seen ICE show up to my job and round up hard working fathers, brothers, mothers and take them off to be deported,” Moran said.
The virtual town hall held by Faith in Indiana focused on issues related to undocumented immigrants. Advocates requested Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal end Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, detentions that can happen after an infraction.
Forestal said Indiana’s current law makes it harder for a sheriff to limit cooperation with federal immigration officials.
“I would support any law that was passed that would not require the sheriffs of Indiana to forcibly detain people unless they had a criminal charge attached,” Forsetal said.
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Congressman André Carson (D-Indianapolis) spoke at the virtual event and said he is committed to immigration reform, including a clear pathway to citizenship.
“In many ways we’re all immigrants and quite frankly this diversity strengthens our country,” he said.
Immigration detainers can transform minor infractions into family separation and deportation.
