Indy faith leaders urge local law enforcement not to cooperate with ICE

Indianapolis faith leaders have called on local law enforcement to refrain from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the deportation of individuals. This appeal came as part of a broader effort by the Indy Action Coalition, which gathered outside the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at the Community Justice Center. The group sought information about the department’s involvement with ICE but reported receiving limited responses.

“We stand united today, urging our leaders to lean into the values of Hoosier hospitality and to not try to score points for politicians in Washington,” said Higginbotham, a member of the Indianapolis-based Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The sheriff’s department shares information with ICE twice daily and detains individuals for ICE to take into custody, according to Higginbotham. She argued that this cooperation harms the community the department is meant to protect and serve.

“We believe everyone should feel safe and secure in their home, their school, their workplace and their place of worship,” she added. Higginbotham is part of a group that recently joined a lawsuit aimed at preventing ICE from making arrests in places of worship.

While not involved in the action group, Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson expressed support for migrants and refugees and called for immigration reform in letters he wrote. His stance aligns with the broader concerns of the community about the impact of federal immigration policies.

Danielle Cooney, a lifelong Indianapolis resident and small business owner, voiced fears about the federal push to increase deportations. “I also am scared for people that are legal citizens, that look like they could be illegal, and what that’s going to mean for them,” Cooney said. Her concerns reflect the worries of many in the community who are directly affected by these policies.

About two dozen people attended the event at the Community Justice Center. Genene Kambs, a member of the coalition, expressed worry about her immigrant neighbors facing deportation. “We’ve been stonewalled by the sheriff, and that’s why we’re here, to say we’re not going away,” Kambs said. The group plans to attend the City County Council Public Safety Committee to push for more detailed information about the sheriff’s office interactions with ICE.

At the time of this story’s publication, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office had not responded to WFYI’s request for comment. The coalition’s actions highlight the growing concern among local faith leaders and community members about the intersection of immigration policy and local law enforcement. Their efforts reflect a commitment to justice and the protection of vulnerable populations, echoing the biblical call to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

Source: Read the original report