Mary Claire Molloy
mcmolloy.bsky.social
Mary Claire Molloy
@mcmolloy.bsky.social
Health reporter for Mirror Indy. Words in Washington Post, USA Today.

Reach me 💌 maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org
As the Trump admin continues mass deportations, 700+ immigrants have been detained in Indy’s jail this year.

Sheriff Kerry Forestal says he is upholding the law. Indiana’s Attorney General threatened to sue those who don’t comply.

Read more in @mirrorindy.org:

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
Indy Democrats clash with sheriff over holding ICE detainees in the jail
Some councilors threatened to withhold their vote for his annual budget.
mirrorindy.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Advocates called on Indy’s sheriff to end the agreement with ICE.

“Other sheriffs around the state are not doing this,” said Rev. Carolyn Higginbotham. “He’s making a choice. And we think it’s the wrong one for the safety of our community.”

Read the full story:

mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...
How the Marion County Jail became a ‘pit stop’ for 400 ICE detainees
Even Democratic-run Indianapolis is part of Trump’s ‘largest deportation program.’
mirrorindy.org
May 16, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Local immigration attorneys say Indy’s jail is part of a growing network meant to help ICE deport people faster than before.

Trump’s ICE director has said he wants the process to be like “Amazon Prime, but with human beings.”

There are worries about due process.
May 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
It pays $75 per day for each person detained.

That’s double what the state pays the jail to hold its prisoners. And the sheriff’s office is under increasing financial pressure, expecting to lose millions this years.

Forestal called ICE’s payments “more appropriate.”
May 16, 2025 at 8:17 PM
🧵 Most people appear to be detained in Indy’s jail for immigration status alone.

Sheriff Kerry Forestal, a Democrat, says he is following the law. Advocates say he is going beyond what is required.

They point to a contract with the federal gov. the sheriff can terminate.

But he hasn’t.
May 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Like Paula, a dreamer who crossed the border when she was 6 years old, carrying her family’s documents in a Winnie the Pooh backpack.

Or Juan, who recently played Jesus in his church’s Good Friday performance.

Read their stories in Spanish and English: mirrorindy.org/inmigrantes-...
May 13, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Thank you for coming forward and sharing your story with us and the community
April 30, 2025 at 2:28 AM
In the wake of our last story, the facility’s clinical director resigned and a local prosecutor called for an investigation into Options and its parent company, Acadia Healthcare.

Thank you to @healthjournalism.org for the recognition.

Read the full series here:

mirrorindy.org/out-of-optio...
Out of Options
Mirror Indy investigates widespread allegations of abuse at Options Behavioral Health Hospital: Patients held against their will. No therapy. Sex abuse. Employees struggling to contain the chaos.
mirrorindy.org
April 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM