As federal immigration policies take center stage, under President Trump’s administration, Ohio Republicans are pushing to ban sanctuary cities within the state. These cities’ restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration officials such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have long been a source of contention in immigration enforcement issues.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is calling for legislation that would officially outlaw sanctuary cities in the state. In a recent letter to lawmakers, Yost argued that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and local governments cannot choose to ignore federal laws.
“This is not an anti-immigrant proposal,” Yost emphasized. “It’s about ensuring that federal officials can carry out their duties regarding individuals not lawfully present in the country.”
What Are Sanctuary Cities?
The term “sanctuary ” has no official legal definition according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. It’s used to describe local policies that protect immigrants without legal status. These policies can include:
- Declining ICE detainer requests to hold people in local jails beyond their release dates.
- Refusing to share information about immigration status with federal authorities.
- Providing legal services to immigrants or challenging federal immigration laws in court.
In Ohio, some cities have adopted sanctuary-style policies, even if they don’t officially label themselves as sanctuary cities. For example, Columbus police do not hold inmates beyond their release dates at ICE’s request.
This isn’t the first time Ohio lawmakers have tried to address sanctuary cities. State Representative Josh Williams introduced a bill in the previous legislative session aimed at requiring local police to cooperate with ICE fully. The bill, called House Bill 666, would have made cities ineligible for homeland security funding and reduced local government fund distributions by 10% if they failed to comply.
Although the bill didn’t pass before the session ended, Williams has promised to reintroduce similar legislation this year.
What’s Next for Ohio?
As debates over sanctuary cities and ICE enforcement continue, Ohio finds itself at the crossroads of local and federal immigration policy. For some, banning sanctuary cities is a step toward law and order. For others, it’s an overreach that undermines local governments’ ability to build trust with immigrant communities.
Regardless of the outcome, the ongoing debate will definitely change Ohio’s approach to immigration enforcement in the years ahead.
Follow Dalmar TV on Facebook for the Latest News
