Emotions run hot as ICE eyes move to Carmel
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Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photos: Adam Gray/Getty Images and Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's plan to occupy space in Carmel is sparking concerns and creating division in HamCo.
Why it matters: The agency is looking to rapidly expand administrative space and detention capacity nationwide as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement.
Driving the news: A Wired magazine story that lists planned locations for new and expanded ICE offices includes Carmel's Penn on Parkway business park as the sole Indiana location.
- Wired says in many cases, the facilities would be used by street-level agents and ICE attorneys.
State of play: In a statement released Wednesday, Carmel City Council president Matt Snyder said those in local government were not made aware of the move, adding, "It is appropriate for residents and city leaders to ask: What is the intended purpose of this facility, and how will it operate within our community?"
- "These are not unfair or unwarranted questions, and they are not unique to this circumstance."
Yes, but: When contacted Thursday, Mayor Sue Finkam's office sent Axios a statement from Carmel Police chief Drake Sterling confirming his department was notified of ICE's intention to establish office space in the city.
- Sterling deferred all other questions to federal authorities.
- ICE representatives have not responded to Axios.
Friction point: The news immediately became a tense topic in the community.
- Opponents want to see officials shut it down, while supporters say the office will not impact the daily lives of residents.
- "This is an agency moving into empty office space," resident Trevor Lewis told Axios. "It's misguided to see this as some kind of hostile takeover."
The other side: Resident Sabrina Gregory argues that letting immigration agents set up shop without resistance sends a message that all Carmel residents are pro-ICE.
- She adds that the community is already dealing with a damaged reputation after the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office became the first Indiana law enforcement agency to enter a 287(g) agreement with ICE early last year.
- "This is more than just an office because under Trump, ICE has become a dangerous agency following dangerous orders," she said.
- On Thursday night, the Hamilton County Democratic Party released a statement saying "Hoosiers do not want ICE or DHS to bring its intimidation theater to Indiana."
Between the lines: Carmel City Council member and Carmel Civility Foundation founder Jeff Worrell told Axios that as he and other city leaders seek answers, it will be paramount to keep communication clear and respectful.
- "I'm very concerned about this dividing our community," he said. "I have no idea why they are choosing Carmel, Indiana, but I am going to try and be an example of civility and understand strong emotions on both sides of this coin."
Zoom out: ICE is also looking at an Indiana location for warehouses that could be converted into detention centers.
- Merrillville was among 23 locations nationwide identified in a recent Bloomberg report detailing the effort.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from the Hamilton County Democratic Party.