Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced Friday that his office has filed a lawsuit against the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department over illegal immigration.
"I am filing a lawsuit against St. Joseph County Sheriff (William) Redman and his department because of their consistent refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities," Rokita told reporters at a news conference in South Bend, Indiana. "
He continued, "This includes refusing to provide ICE with proper notification of the release of illegal aliens and refusing to respect ICE detainees. This deliberate decision not to cooperate with federal immigration authorities provides safety for criminal aliens who need to be removed from our country Hong Kong." And this county. "
An ICE detainee is a person that ICE asks local authorities to hold until agents can take them into custody.
White House says Trump sends 'strong and clear message' that 'deportation flights have begun'
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced Friday that his office has filed a lawsuit against the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department over illegal immigration. (AG Todd Rokita/X)
He said the sheriff's actions will lead to more immigrants from the country illegally coming to St. Joseph County to commit crimes.
He added: “As your attorney general, I refuse to stand by and watch law enforcement officers’ unlawful conduct take place.”
Rokita said after multiple attempts to communicate with the deputy, the Sheriff's Department still does not comply with Indiana law.
He noted that despite the lawsuit, Indiana will continue to support its law enforcement, "but we will also hold accountable those who should be held accountable."
“My office will not stop working on this issue until the laws are followed and we put people before illegal aliens,” he said.
Democratic governor backs meth arrest 'criminal' despite vowing to use 'every tool' to fight Trump deportations
Rokita said his office would "be happy to drop the lawsuit" if the Sheriff's Department began to cooperate.
Rokita's office filed a lawsuit against St. Joseph County Sheriff William Redman and his department. (St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department)
He added that his office is also investigating a potential workforce tracing network in the state, based on reports from residents of an influx of immigrants into the community.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Redman and the St. Joseph Sheriff's Department for comment.
The lawsuit comes as President Trump unveiled his plans for mass deportations, with the White House saying hundreds of immigrants have been illegally deported from the country since he was sworn in on Monday.
People were seen boarding a US military aircraft. The White House announced Friday that "deportation flights have begun" in the United States (White House)
Click here to get the Fox News app
"Today: Trump administration arrests 538 illegal immigrant criminals, including a suspected terrorist, four Tren de Aragua gang members, and several illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes against minors," White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt wrote on X on Thursday. "The Trump administration has also deported hundreds of illegal immigrant criminals via military aircraft. The largest deportations in history are well underway."