St. Joseph County

SJCPD responds to AG's appeal of lawsuit dismissal

By: Annie Kate
Posted: Mar 31, 2026 7:00 PM EDT
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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind.-- The St. Joseph County Police Department filed its response to allegations that it violates federal immigration laws. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita appealed a judge's decision to dismiss his lawsuit against SJCPD. 

In January 2025, Rokita announced the lawsuit, which alleged that SJCPD and Sheriff Bill Redman refused to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests for local inmates. 

In its response, the county argued such compliance with federal law is up to "local discretion," but maintained there are no "written or unwritten" policies against enforcing immigration laws at the department.

It also cites the judge's original ruling that said the state had no real injury in the case, so it does not have grounds to sue.

SJCPD's full response to the AG's appeal can be viewed below. 



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