AG Rokita investigating Fort Wayne non-profits regarding work with undocumented immigrants, labor trafficking
You can watch the press conference above.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita held a press conference Thursday afternoon at the Allen County Courthouse to discuss new immigration and labor trafficking investigations by his office in Fort Wayne.
Rokita first addressed the work his office is doing to investigate labor trafficking in the state. He claims that instances of labor trafficking, where undocumented immigrants are brought to communities to fill jobs, have become “far too common”.
Rokita says he has issued subpoenas to employers and nonprofits around the state that have experienced increased levels of migration.
In Fort Wayne, the attorney general’s office has sent investigative demands to Amani Family Services, Catholic Charities, and Amazon because of their work with undocumented immigrants, Rokita says.
He says they have received an initial response from Amani Family Services, which has expressed a willingness to cooperate.
Rokita said his office is also ensuring cities follow Indiana’s 2011 anti-sanctuary law, which states local governments must cooperate with federal immigration officials.
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He noted that Fort Wayne was recently designated a certified Welcoming City by national nonprofit Welcoming America. According to its website, the title is granted to cities based on “programs, policies, and practices that local governments and community organizations can implement to ensure that everyone, including immigrants, belongs.”
Rokita says Fort Wayne’s designation by the website “raises questions” about the policies the city put in place regarding federal immigration enforcement.
“We are not accusing the city government of Fort Wayne of any wrongdoing or breaking the law at this point. We are seeking information to determine whether or not that’s the case,” Rokita said.
The attorney general said his office is also sending civil investigative demands to the City of Fort Wayne and Welcoming America.
Assistant Chief Deputy Blake Lanning said the demands include questions about what the city’s internal policies governing local law enforcement look like and what interactions between the local government and the federal government look like.
He says the questions will help determine whether or not there has been a violation of the sanctuary city statute.
In response to Rokita, the City of Fort Wayne shared the following statement:
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