An Indiana judge this week ruled against East Chicago, finding the city’s sanctuary policy limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities violates a state anti-sanctuary law.
The city’s policy, officially known as a “welcoming city” ordinance, had been on the books since 2017. It was part of a surge of sanctuaries as President Trump took office vowing stiffer enforcement of federal immigration laws.
But Judge Thomas P. Hallett, sitting in the Lake County Superior Court, enjoined the city’s ordinance in an order Thursday.
“There must be no more such ordinances in Indiana, and those in existence are clearly in violation of Indiana law,” he said.
The city mayor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.