Rokita Backs Use of Camp Atterbury for Migrant Detention as He Faces Supreme Court Disciplinary Panel

Staff report

INDIANAPOLIS — July 23, 2025

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on Monday issued a statement backing the use of Camp Atterbury to detain undocumented immigrants, throwing his full support behind a Trump administration plan that has already drawn fire from civil rights advocates and immigration groups.

“I commend President Trump and agree with both him and Governor Braun on using Camp Atterbury to detain illegal aliens,” Rokita said in a press release. “This action is a critical step toward restoring the rule of law and addressing the unfair crisis caused by unchecked illegal immigration.”

The plan, which came to light from a military memo, is converting the southern Indiana military installation into a detention facility for migrants awaiting deportation proceedings.

Rokita framed the move as necessary to alleviate pressure on Indiana communities, citing “increased crime, human trafficking, and strain on our schools, hospitals, and other taxpayer-funded resources.”

“Indiana will not tolerate lawlessness,” he declared.

Camp Atterbury, located in Johnson County, previously housed Afghan evacuees in 2021. Its proposed conversion into a migrant detention center marks a controversial shift, especially amid a national battle over mass deportations and immigrant rights under President Trump’s second term.

Rokita’s public support comes as he faces renewed legal scrutiny from the Indiana Supreme Court. Just last week, the court rejected his motion to dismiss a new round of disciplinary charges stemming from comments he made about Dr. Caitlin Bernard—the OB-GYN who provided abortion care to a 10-year-old rape victim in 2022. Although Rokita had previously accepted a public reprimand for violating professional conduct rules, his later public statements appeared to contradict his sworn admissions, prompting the Disciplinary Commission to file a second complaint.

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