As federal authorities continue their crackdown on illegal aliens nationwide, some Ohio lawmakers say U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi should investigate Ohio’s sanctuary cities next.
“Absolutely,” state Rep. Beth Lear, R-Galena, told Ohio.news when asked. “Ohioans deserve the same protections from criminal illegals as New York, California and Illinois. Elected officials in sanctuary cities and counties who support illegals over their own voters and citizens should be run out of office.”
Bondi and the feds have filed lawsuits against several jurisdictions, including New York, Illinois and Chicago, over immigration enforcement.
“We are taking steps to protect Americans,” CBS News quoted Bondi as saying.
The Buckeye State is believed to have six sanctuary cities. The Center for Immigration Studies identifies Franklin, Hamilton, Lorain and Mahoning counties as sanctuary jurisdictions.
However, others may exist even in a quasi-official capacity.
Immigration has been a hot topic in Ohio, particularly after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have focused on several Ohio communities in the Cleveland and Cincinnati areas following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Reports of similar raids nationwide, including in liberal cities such as New York City and Chicago, have surfaced. The raids deliver a campaign promise for the 47th president, and reports indicate they have netted thousands of arrests.
“Transparency is always good,” state Rep. Jennifer Gross, R-West Chester, told Ohio.news. “We know there was a drop-off point in Cincinnati, that was on the news when it happened.”
The comments mirror what some Buckeye State leaders previously confirmed to Ohio.news that they plan to help the Trump administration with deportations.
In one of the more visible moves against Trump’s efforts, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, which includes the husband of Democratic U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, is vowing to create safe spaces for residents “regardless of immigration status.” The county, home to the Ohio Statehouse, posted a statement on its Facebook page, specifically vowing to help those worried about “interactions with government agencies.”
Sykes’ office also created “tip sheets” for residents of her Akron-area district who were concerned about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents cracking down on illegal aliens.
Separately, House Bill 26, the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, would require Ohio law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal officials to enforce federal immigration laws. This would include sharing information about arrestees with federal immigration authorities.
According to a Cleveland.com report, lawmakers could give the bill a hearing by the end of the month or early next month.
“We saw, just [last month], two of our major metropolitan mayors come out and publicly state they have sanctuary city policies in place,” state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., told FOX 8 News.
“Anyone that provides sanctuary to them is violating federal law and any city or government within the state of Ohio that is providing sanctuary to these individuals who are here illegally, you are going to risk losing state funding, period,” he said, according to WCMH-TV NBC 4 in Columbus. “If you want to mess around and find out, that’s on you.”
One provision mirrors the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, making certain aliens ineligible for state or local public benefits. The new bill would also require law enforcement agencies to honor federal detainer requests for people illegally in the country.
“Current Ohio law does appear to require state and local governmental entities to honor ICE detainer requests in at least some circumstances,” according to an Ohio Legislative Service Commission analysis. “The Revised Code specifically requires the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to comply with ICE detainer requests for persons who are being released from state custody after serving a prison term for a felony.”
NewsNation, citing Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) estimates, reported that illegal immigration cost U.S. taxpayers more than $150 billion in 2023.
