Congressman Carson Launches Official Congressional Inquiry into Increased ICE Indianapolis Activity
INDIANAPOLIS—Today, amid reports of a surge in ICE arrests across Indianapolis, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) submitted an official Congressional inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security.
Congressman Carson’s inquiry demands answers on the scope and probable cause for ICE’s apparent increased enforcement, including the number of people detained, apprehended, or arrested in Indianapolis this year, and other relevant details to ICE’s activity in Marion County.
In his letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Congressman Carson cites “reports of unnecessary force that put my constituents at risk…The immigrant population does not pose an active threat to the health and safety of our community – but ICE’s reported reckless actions in my district do.” He also writes that more than 96% of individuals ICE arrested in July did not have prior criminal convictions.
Since the Trump administration directed ICE to ramp up enforcement efforts at the start of his second term, Congressman Carson has repeatedly voted against ICE funding and called for the elimination of ICE as the agency continues to arrest indiscriminately, harm civilians and bystanders, and violate the right to due process.
In addition, Congressman Carson has called for an end to ICE detention at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, IN, which has denied medication and legal resources, and where two detainees died earlier this year.
The full text of Congressman Carson’s inquiry can be found below and attached:
Dear Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella:
I write to demand information on reports of a surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests across Indianapolis, including operations involving masked agents, unmarked vehicles, and a dangerous foot pursuit across multiple lanes of traffic.
As representative for Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District, I am requesting information on any increase in enforcement operations in my district, the authority under which these operations are being conducted, and what safeguards are in place to protect my constituents’ constitutional rights and physical safety.
Indianapolis residents and media report a surge of ICE arrests across my district, including reports of unnecessary force that put my constituents at risk. For example, video footage shows ICE agents chasing a man across several lanes of traffic near Post Road and Interstate 70 on September 1, 2026, threatening the safety of drivers and other motorists. Witnesses also report unmarked vehicles and masked agents.
When pressed for answers, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to provide an exact number of people detained, their location, and the outcome of their detention.
As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of officers being able to perform their duties safely. Federal immigration enforcement does not excuse unsafe conduct, racial profiling, or violations of due process. I also understand that effective law enforcement depends on accountability, transparency, clear identification, safe operational planning, and public trust. Masked agents conducting arrests from unmarked vehicles, without appropriate public information about their identity, authority, or mission, creates fear and confusion. It makes it more difficult for residents to distinguish legitimate officers from those impersonating law enforcement. It erodes public trust in law enforcement – which is essential for local authorities to question witnesses and make arrests in cases that actually pose a danger to the general public.
In July, reports show that more than 96% of individuals arrested by ICE nationwide did not have prior criminal convictions. The immigrant population does not pose an active threat to the health and safety of our community – but ICE’s reported reckless actions in my district do.
- The operation name if designated, probable cause objective, statutory authorization, anticipated duration, and geographic scope of the ICE operation currently being conducted in Indianapolis and Marion County.
- The number of ICE personnel and personnel from any other federal, state, or local agencies participating or who have already participated in the operation, including the names of all participating agencies.
- The number of people detained, apprehended or arrested in Indianapolis and Marion County from January 1, 2026, until September 1, 2026, including information identifying:
a) The date and location of each arrest;
b) Whether the individual was specifically targeted or encountered incidentally;
c) The legal authority supporting the arrest;
d) Whether the individual was the subject of a judicial warrant, administrative warrant, final order of removal, or another form of process, and if ICE utilized such documentation, please enumerate;
e) Whether the individual had a criminal conviction, pending criminal charge, or no criminal history;
f) How many of these detained or arrested individuals were heads of households or custodial parents with dependent children;
g) The individual’s current detention location; and
h) The outcome of detention or arrest, including whether the individuals remain in custody or were released or deported. If deported, the location of the deportation and purported nexus to the individual.
- All operational guidance governing how agents selected individuals or vehicles for surveillance, questioning, stops, or arrests during this operation, including whether agents considered an individual’s race, ethnicity, language, occupation, place of employment, neighborhood, or use of a work van or other occupational vehicle.
- Whether agents involved in the Indianapolis operation followed or conducted surveillance on individuals beginning at their homes, workplaces, businesses, gas stations, or other public locations and, if so, the individualized basis for that surveillance.
- ICE’s current policies governing:
a) Agents’ use of masks or other face coverings;
b) The display of agency names, badges, and individual identification;
c) The use of unmarked vehicles;
d) The activation and preservation of body-worn-camera footage; and
e) Agents’ obligation to identify themselves and state their authority when making an arrest.
- All policies governing ICE foot pursuits and arrests near active roadways, intersections, schools, childcare centers, houses of worship, medical facilities, and other sensitive or heavily trafficked locations.
- Whether ICE provided advance notice to, requested assistance from, or otherwise coordinated with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, or any other Indiana law enforcement agency. Please identify any participating agency operating under a 287(g) agreement or other federal immigration-enforcement partnership.
- The facilities to which individuals are arrested during this operation are being transferred and the measures being taken to ensure timely access to attorneys, family members, medical care, language assistance, and information about their location and legal rights.
- The number and nature of any complaints, use-of-force incidents, injuries, vehicle collisions, mistaken-identity incidents, or arrests of U.S. citizens associated with the operation.
- All operational plans, directives, internal communications, arrest records, body-worn-camera footage, vehicle-camera footage, dispatch records, after-action reports, and other materials concerning the reported Indianapolis operation.
I further request that DHS and ICE provide a written response and all records related to this request no later than September 9, 2026.
My district should not be forced to rely on bystander videos and media reports to understand the actions of federal agents operating in their communities. Immigration enforcement must comply with the Constitution and protect public safety.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.