Indiana Attorney General Sues Merrillville Over Opposition to ICE Detention Site

Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a lawsuit against the town of Merrillville, accusing its council of blocking a proposed ICE detention warehouse.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has initiated legal action against the town of Merrillville, claiming the municipal council acted to prevent ICE from establishing a detention center in a local warehouse. The lawsuit references council members contacting owners of Opus and Tradelane, urging them not to sell to ICE, and cites Resolution 26-02 that formally opposes converting industrial space for immigration detention.

According to the AG’s filing, these coordinated efforts caused at least two property deals to fall through. The state’s legal team sent a cease-and-desist demanding the town withdraw the resolution and assure property owners they will not face retaliation, but the council declined to comply. The case argues that Merrillville’s actions violate Indiana’s FAIRNESS act and anti-sanctuary laws, which prohibit local bodies from limiting federal immigration enforcement. The town council president has not responded to requests for comment.