East Chicago drops 'welcoming city' ordinance in response to Rokita lawsuit

The City of East Chicago repealed its so-called "welcoming city" ordinance in response to a lawsuit filed earlier this month by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita , who was recently given new authority to challenge municipalities that become sanctuaries for unauthorized immigrants.

Rokita has also sued Monroe County for the same reason.

"Due to the city of East Chicago common council voting to completely repeal its 'Welcoming City Ordinance' and Mayor Copeland approving its decision, our office has officially dismissed the lawsuit we filed on this issue," Rokita said in a statement. "We are pleased East Chicago will no longer operate as a sanctuary city, giving safe harbor to illegal aliens, and are now following state law."

East Chicago's ordinance was one of several passed across the U.S. in 2017 in reaction to former President Donald Trump's immigration policies. But Rokita has alleged that the policies violate Indiana law by restricting "the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law."

More: Indiana AG Todd Rokita sues City of East Chicago over 'sanctuary' status for immigrants

Sanctuary cities have technically been banned in Indiana since 2011. But some places have passed ordiances that give undocumented residents some leeway. For example, the city of Gary prevents officials from questioning an immigrant's legal status unless required to do so by court order.

A new state law authorizes the attorney general to sue if he determines that "probable cause exists that a governmental body or a postsecondary educational institution" has violated the existing ban.

The lawsuit against Monroe County is still active, Rokita said.

"We will continue exercising our new enforcement authority by pushing forward with our lawsuit against Monroe County officials over their unlawful immigration policy and evaluating other local units of government that refuse to follow the law," he said in the statement.

Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.co m.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: East Chicago drops 'welcoming city' ordinance in response to Rokita lawsuit