Indiana Joins Lawsuit Against Sanctuary City Ordinance

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A judge has allowed the state of Indiana to intervene in a lawsuit which alleges that the city of Gary's sanctuary city ordinance violates state law.

The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports that Attorney General Curtis T. Hill sought to have the state added as a plaintiff in the case against Gary officials.

Gary enacted a "welcoming city" ordinance in May 2017 that prohibits local officials from investigating an individual's legal status unless required by a court order.

Attorney James Bopp Jr. filed a lawsuit in December alleging the ordinance violates Indiana law. State law bans ordinances prohibiting local officials from cooperating with federal officials enforcing U.S. immigration laws.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson declined to comment on the state's intervention. But she says there's currently no discussion about repealing the ordinance.