SB 430 creates a new chapter in the Indiana Code establishing the 287(g) Agreement Grant Program within the Department of Homeland Security. The program authorizes the department to award grants to local law enforcement authorities to help them enter into and carry out agreements under Section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows certain state and local officers to perform specified immigration enforcement functions in cooperation with federal authorities.
The bill defines key terms, including “287(g) agreement” and “program,” and gives the department authority to administer the program and adopt rules to implement it. The measure is effective July 1, 2025, and is framed as a public safety bill rather than a broader immigration policy change, though it directly supports local participation in federal immigration enforcement partnerships.
Impact
The bill adds IC 10-19-14 to the Indiana Code, creating a new grant program and giving the Department of Homeland Security express statutory authority to fund local law enforcement participation in 287(g) agreements. It does not itself require any local agency to enter such an agreement, but it provides state financial support for agencies that choose to do so and authorizes rulemaking to administer the grants. The practical effect is to encourage and facilitate local-federal immigration enforcement cooperation by reducing some of the administrative or operational costs for participating agencies.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have generally favorable support in committee and on the floor, with both committees reporting it do pass. The Senate passed the bill 39-9, and the House committee report also recommended passage, indicating meaningful but not unanimous support. The available record suggests the bill was viewed positively by supporters as a public safety and law enforcement support measure, while the recorded opposition indicates some concern remained among a minority of legislators.
Contention
The main point of contention is the bill’s connection to immigration enforcement through the federal 287(g) program. Supporters likely view the grants as a tool to strengthen local law enforcement and cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while opponents may object to state support for local participation in immigration enforcement, including concerns about civil liberties, community trust, or the use of state funds for federal immigration-related activities. The recorded nay votes in the Senate suggest the issue is politically sensitive even though the bill advanced through committee and floor consideration.