What SEA 76 Means for Indiana

Learn what Indiana’s SEA 76 changes, who it affects, and what rights remain protected as the state expands immigration enforcement.

Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 76 — dubbed the “FAIRNESS Act” by its supporters — expands the state’s role in federal immigration enforcement.

The law affects county jails, public agencies, colleges, hospitals, benefits programs, employers, and certain instances of ICE cooperation. It also gives the Indiana attorney general new authority to investigate and take legal action against institutions accused of failing to comply.

Most provisions are already in effect, but hospital reporting requirements begin January 1, 2027.

Know Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement

What are 287(g) agreements?

Learn how 287(g) agreements give local law enforcement a role in federal immigration enforcement and why they raise civil liberties concerns.

287(g) agreements are partnerships between local law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Under these agreements, participating officers receive federal training and authority to carry out certain immigration enforcement functions.

Depending on the type of agreement, local officers may question people about their immigration status, issue immigration detainers, serve immigration warrants, or help identify people for ICE custody.

These agreements blur the line between local policing and federal immigration enforcement. When local officers act as immigration agents, it can increase the risk of racial profiling and wrongful detention, undermine trust in law enforcement, and make immigrant communities less likely to seek help or report crimes.

Nearly 40 state and local agencies in Indiana have signed agreements to carry out ICE-related enforcement, and the Indiana State Police (ISP) has reported that 185 troopers are already trained and certified by ICE.

ISP has also applied for nearly $30 million in federal funding to expand immigration enforcement, including 287(g) participation, surveillance, arrests, intelligence gathering, and cooperation with ICE across all 92 counties.

View 287(g) Participating Agencies
287g agreements

What SEA 76 Does Not Do

SEA 76 does not:

  • Override the Constitution
  • Turn every ICE document into a judicial warrant
  • Require every public employee to ask about immigration status
  • Eliminate privacy or confidentiality protections
  • Authorize discrimination
  • Make every noncitizen ineligible for public benefits

Know Your Rights

This page explains what SEA 76 does. Our Know Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement page explains what you can do during encounters with ICE in various environments.

Read the Full Legislation

Know Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement

Know Your Rights: ICE Arrests

Related Issues

Immigrants' Rights Policing Racial Justice View All Issues

Related Content

Know Your Rights
Jul 09, 2026
KYR Immigration
  • Immigrants' Rights

Know Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement

Know your rights if ICE or immigration officers show up. This resource offers practical guidance for individuals, schools, and businesses with Indiana's evolving immigration laws.
Legislation
Feb 3, 2026
Oppose
  • Immigrants' Rights|
  • +2 Issues

Anti-Immigrant & Enforcement Bills (SEA 76 & Others)

SEA 76 combines language from the other immigration bills and would expand enforcement by tightening “sanctuary” restrictions, mandating stronger cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), blurring the lines of state and local enforcement, and escalating penalties for anyone who doesn’t comply.
Status: Signed by Governor
Position: Oppose
News & Commentary
Sep 11, 2026
protect immigrants
  • Immigrants' Rights|
  • +2 Issues

Behind Indiana's ICE Surge Is a Growing Network of Detention, Policing, and Surveillance

As nearly $30 million flows to Indiana State Police for immigration enforcement and surveillance, Hoosiers are rallying against ICE raids, detention, and the state’s massive role in federal enforcement.