As the granddaughter of an Italian American immigrant who came to the United States to build his family a life through hard work, I grew up understanding the value and dignity of a hard day’s work and the dream of family prosperity that so many Hoosiers share today. These are the values that drive our communities and unite us across backgrounds. I believe in sensible legislation that gives future generations the same opportunity, and when I am elected to Congress, I will work across the aisle to pass comprehensive immigration reform—something America desperately needs. That is why Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 76 and the inaction of Republican members of Congress concern me so deeply.
An Attack on Freedom and Economic Prosperity
I believe every person deserves the freedom to work hard and build a better life. That value has always driven our communities and supported our economy. But let’s be clear about Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 76, which was just signed into law late last week by Governor Braun. It threatens that freedom. Instead of empowering businesses and workers, the bill will force Hoosier business owners and their employees who are citizens to report undocumented workers to authorities.
Being undocumented is not a crime.
Hiring someone who is undocumented is not a crime.
Indiana legislators know this, but facts and common sense do not appear to matter. The state has committed to building more detention centers rather than funding education or health care. State leaders would rather rubber-stamp the Trump administration’s inhumane agenda, just as Rep. Rudy Yakym and the rest of the Republican Congress have done.
The Real Cost to Indiana Businesses
SEA76 places businesses, small and large, in a precarious and costly situation. Indiana’s manufacturing sector already struggles with a shortage of skilled workers. Now, while many businesses are still grappling with the financial strain of Trump’s illegal tariffs, they face yet another wave of expenses. Now that SEA76 is the law, businesses will be forced to spend the money it will take to implement an onerous new process. That process has one purpose: betray their employees—people they know and trust—or face steep penalties.
Businesses do not work for the government.
While the Republican Party purports to be the party of business and less regulation, SEA76 proves they are anything but. The law fractures the trust between management and employees. Indiana legislators have made it clear they put Trump first, not Hoosier businesses.
Rep. Rudy Yakym has touted his closeness to the RV industry, yet I did not hear him advocating against a government directive that impacts those companies and many others right in their balance sheet. This law not only promotes racial profiling but also undermines trust and requires local business and governments to do the work for federal agents. There is no doubt that it will harm production and profits for businesses throughout the 2nd District. It is not the role of any American business to do Trump’s dirty work.
A Better Path Forward
A better plan would be to provide undocumented workers with a pathway to citizenship so businesses can flourish.
I am the daughter of a successful Indiana businessman who manufactured RVs, and I will always stand with Hoosier businesses and their employees, regardless of their status. Hands off, Indiana.