ICE is opening an office in Carmel. What does that mean?
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, will maintain a presence in Carmel. City leaders have little understanding of what this means.
The City of Carmel confirmed that the police department was notified that ICE would be establishing office space within the city. But Carmel posed additional questions to ICE.
IndyStar reached out to ICE with questions about its plans for operations in Carmel but did not receive a response prior to publication of this article.
Meanwhile, Carmel City Council president Matthew Snyder said in a statement that the agency learned of plans to move to Carmel through emails from concerned constituents. The alderman said it was frustrating that no one in city government had advanced knowledge that ICE would lease a building in Carmel.
More: North Central students protest ICE protest, causing street closures
“I support the rule of law and recognize that ICE is a federal agency charged with enforcing immigration laws and protecting our nation’s borders and ports of entry,” Snyder, a Republican, said in a statement. “At the same time, the proximity of available federal resources naturally raises reasonable questions about necessity, coordination, and communication.”
The FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office is just a few miles from Carmel, Snyder noted.
News of the agency’s move to Carmel comes as follows: Hundreds of students from Indianapolis-area schools join anti-ICE strike. Anti-ICE protesters have also lined up on both sides of East 86th Street near the Monon Trail crossing in recent weeks.
More: Brief anti-ICE protest unfolds on East 86th Street in North Indianapolis
The protests in Central Indiana follow the national trend of anti-ICE protests. Shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Good was shot and killed by a federal agent from ICE in early January. Protests across the country intensified after Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents during a protest in Minneapolis a few weeks later.
“If another federal law enforcement agency establishes a presence in our community, we expect and trust that it will reflect the same professionalism, coordination and unobtrusive operational standard that the FBI has demonstrated for years,” Snyder said in the statement. “This standard is one of quiet competence, respect for the surrounding community, and seamless cooperation with local law enforcement.”
The city council president added that he is committed to seeking clarity, ensuring transparency, protecting public safety and maintaining a respectful culture in Carmel as the federal agency steps in.
“I want to make sure we continue to gather the facts and ensure that Carmel’s newest principle assimilates itself to our great city in an appropriate and respectful manner,” Snyder said in a statement. “Your city leaders will continue to gather information and distribute updates through appropriate channels.”
This story may be updated.
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on X, formerly on Twitter, @Jake_Allen19.
This article first appeared in the Indianapolis Star: ICE is opening an office in Carmel. What does this mean?
