Lake County Sheriff's now cooperating with ICE, Indiana attorney general says

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (WLS) -- The Lake County Sherrif's Office will begin cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, according to the Indiana attorney general.

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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said he sent two warning letters to the sheriff's office if they limited officer's cooperation with ICE.

"The Lake County Sheriff's Department has reversed course and is now cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, as required by state law," the office of the attorney general said.

Rokita recently sued Monroe County and St. Joseph County sheriff department over "refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities."

"We will continue our ongoing conversations with ICE and Lake County to ensure they are compliant with Indiana law. We do reserve our right at all times to enforce state law, even when it comes to the County Sheriff," Rokita said."

The Lake County Sheriff's Office released a statement saying they have "routinely cooperated with ...federal law enforcement partners." Adding the following list that the the Lake County Sheriff's Department has:

-"Always cooperated with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in taking all action to ensure the safety and security of the residents and business in Lake County.
-Never requested, condoned or participated in any effort to designate Lake County or the Lake County Jail as a "sanctuary" location or facility.
-Never implemented or endorsed any policy that restricts Lake County police officers from communicating with ICE, or restricts an officer's ability to enforce the law.
-Never implemented a policy that restricts the LCSD or its officers' ability to comply with ICE detainer requests, pursuant to the time limits and restrictions that are expressly provided by the DHS in its Request for Detainer Form I-247A."

"I just want to clear the air and ensure the residents of Lake County that the Lake County Sheriff's Department has always cooperated with local, state and federal agencies to achieve our joint mission of making our local communities safe and secure for families and children. This cooperation has always existed - and has not been the result of any action taken or threats by any state official from Indianapolis," Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said.