Indiana mayors join opposition to immigration reform
1:38 AM, Feb. 22, 2011
Written by
Jon Murray and Heather Gillers

A group whose members include 120 Indiana mayors signed on Monday to a compact urging state legislators to back off an immigration reform bill.

The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns said Senate Bill 590, sponsored by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, would hit hard-pressed municipalities with its mandate that state and local police enforce federal immigration laws. That includes checking immigration status if they suspect a person might be in the country illegally.

Elected officials and business, religious and educational leaders also have signed on to the Indiana Compact. In part, the compact asserts that immigration is an issue the federal government, not the states, must confront. The bill awaits a final vote by the Senate and has not been considered in the House.

Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold, a Republican who is on the municipal association's board, said he is worried about additional law enforcement costs. He said he hasn't fully analyzed how the measure would affect Marion.

"With property tax reform, we're trying to figure out how to save every dime we can," Seybold said Monday.

The group, whose board voted Friday to join the compact, represents 465 municipalities. Its members include mayors, clerk-treasurers and council members; it has offered testimony against the bill in committee hearings.

"SB 590 . . .would mandate an entire new level of spending on local law enforcement, without providing any funds to pay for the mandate," said a statement from Matt Greller, the association's president. "Our members just cannot handle more fiscal demands."

A notable absence from the compact is Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican who has expressed a view largely in line with the document.

Ballard wasn't available Monday because he was undergoing a routine medical procedure, said his spokesman, Marc Lotter.

So far, Ballard hasn't weighed in with legislators. "We are not lobbying on that bill," Lotter said. "It's not part of the mayor's legislative package."

But earlier this month, Ballard told The Indianapolis Star: "I've always thought this is a federal issue that the federal government should address as a whole. The fact that some states are trying to fill in the gap, I don't think speaks well for our lack of action at the federal level. . . . The federal level is where this needs to happen."

Melina Kennedy, the leading Democratic contender for Indianapolis mayor, has signed the compact.

If Ballard believes similarly, she said, "he should make that clear and sign on to the compact."

"It's an issue that we have to address as a country," Kennedy said, "but it is most appropriately addressed at the federal level. The current state legislation that is being proposed is not a solution that makes any sense."

Delph's bill also would require most government hearings and documents to be in English.

The bill is favored by social conservatives in the state legislature, but Eli Lilly and Co., Cummins and some other major Indiana businesses have expressed worry that it would hinder economic development.

Others worry that racial profiling would play a role in who is asked for proof of legal status.

Delph dismissed the importance of those concerns, and the compact.

"It's unfortunate that folks for political purposes want to paint all of law enforcement with a very broad bad brush in terms of the fear-mongering, in terms of the use of racial profiling as a tactic," he said. "I've said this once, I'll say it again: Profiling is illegal, immoral and wrong, and any law enforcement official that uses that type of tactic to enforce any law needs to be held accountable.

"I don't believe SB 590 encourages or supports that kind of activity, but I think there is overwhelming sentiment within the public that they would like their laws enforced."

Call Star reporter Jon Murray at (317) 444-2752.

Star reporter Mary Beth Schneider contributed to this story.

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