Indiana drops sanctuary city suit against East Chicago

Earlier this month, Indiana’s Office of the Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the city of East Chicago for not complying with federal immigration laws. On Monday, the state voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit after East Chicago changed its policy.

The city of East Chicago Common Council and its Mayor Anthony Copeland  approved the decision to repeal its “Welcoming City Ordinance.”

“We are pleased East Chicago will no longer operate as a sanctuary city, giving safe harbor to illegal aliens, and are now following state law. This is a big win for hardworking Hoosiers and legal immigrants who came to our great nation the right way,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a press release.

Rokita stated that his office will be continue with a similar lawsuit against Monroe County. The lawsuit was filed days after the one against the city of East Chicago over its immigration policy.

The lawsuit requests the trial court to compel Monroe County to stop violating the state’s ban on “sanctuary cities.”

The case is State of Indiana ex rel. Todd Rokita, Attorney General of Indiana v. Ruben Marté, in his official capacity as Monroe County Sheriff and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, 53C06-2407-PL-001733.

Rokita warned several Indiana cities in May, including Gary and West Lafayette, of litigation if they didn’t rescind their local policies on “sanctuary cities.”