I recently had the opportunity to join fellow lawmakers and other state officials for a discussion with Attorney General Todd Rokita, White House Border Czar Tom Homan and former Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf on illegal immigration and how Indiana can better work with the federal government to secure the border, stop illegal immigration and keep our communities safe. You may think that Indiana is not a border state, but every state is a border state.
As a Marine veteran and member of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee, I know how important this issue is and see how it impacts our state and communities. According to the American First Policy Institute, illegal aliens cost Indiana $921 million in 2023, with each alien costing the state $4,451. From fentanyl and other drugs coming across the border and human trafficking by the cartels, to increased crime and exploiting cheap labor and our public-school systems, this issue takes its toll here at home, not just nationally.
Indiana can continue to be a national leader in enforcing immigration policy. We've already started.
Earlier this year Gov. Mike Braun signed Executive Order 25-29 directing the state and encouraging local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This past session, I supported House Enrolled Act 1393, a new law to improve coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies.
I also supported House Bill 1531 to require local law enforcement to honor federal immigration detainer requests, grant immunity to officers who comply and ensure accountability when jurisdictions refuse to cooperate. While this legislation did not make it across the finish line, I plan to support State Rep. J.D. Prescott's (R-Union City) efforts when he reintroduces it during the 2026 legislative session.
During the 2024 legislative session, we passed Senate Enrolled Act 181, which allows the attorney general to file suit against local units of government and universities that fail to uphold the state law banning sanctuary cities.
I remain committed to working at the state level to help our federal counterparts in addressing illegal immigration, securing the border and ensuring safe, thriving communities. I'm proud to support President Trump and his administration in these efforts.
For questions and concerns about public safety, you can contact my Statehouse office at 317-232-9597 or visit in.gov/h57. For more information about HEA 1393, click here. For more information about HB 1531, click here.
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State Rep. Craig Haggard (R-Mooresville) represents House District 57,
which includes portions of Hendricks, Johnson and Morgan counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Craig Haggard (R-Mooresville) (right) joins White House Border Czar and former Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan (left) at the Fairness for Hoosiers: The Need for State Action on Immigration briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Haggard and Homan discussed the importance of stronger cooperation between state, local and federal agencies to enhance public safety and uphold the rule of law.
