(The Center Square) – Columbus City Council passed a series of ordinances limiting local cooperation and declaring an emergency relating to the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying they solidify the line between local and federal organizations.
The measures, which Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla said “clarify the boundary” between federal and local agencies, passed unanimously following an earlier hearing that brought broad public support.
The bill puts Columbus amongst a growing list of cities legislating against the current of federal immigration policy. In December, ICE launched “Operation Buckeye” in Ohio, through which the agency purports to have targeted “the worst of the worst.”
The legislative package began with a ceremonial resolution urging federal agents to act in accordance with recommendations from the city’s Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. Two members of that commission spoke in support of the resolution.
“When enforcement is transparent, there’s accountability,” said Commissioner Jesus Valencia. “And when there’s accountability, there’s trust, and trust is what keeps cities like Columbus flourishing.
“We bring this forward to ensure that all residents, particularly our immigrant and refugee communities, can live, work and participate in the life of our city without unnecessary fear or intimidation,” said Commissioner Nadia Jean.
Additional legislation seeks to limit overlap between local and federal officials.
One measure prevents local police from entering into 287(g) cooperation agreements with ICE. Another prevents Columbus City employees from obtaining second jobs with certain federal agencies, including ICE.
The package also aims to limit where ICE can move.
The council voted on a moratorium against detention facilities within the city. One bill would prevent the agency from operating on city property without a warrant. Another would criminalize obstruction, harassment and stalking at locations like schools and child care facilities.
Whether the laws will hold up in court remains to be seen.
Attorney General David Yost called the package a “political stunt.”
The challenge demonstrates an ongoing tug-of-war for authority in policymaking between local, state and federal governments under the Trump administration.
“The legislation is as legally enforceable as the media advisory,” wrote Yost on X ahead of the hearings.
Council members emphasized they had worked with the City Attorney’s office to craft the legislation in question. A representative of that office took questions during the vote to clarify the reach and limitations of the new ordinances as they pertain to criminal sentencing.
Barroso de Padilla noted that leading up to the vote, the council had received only two objections to the package, one of which was from someone who was not a resident of the city. There were more than 50 speakers and written testimonies in support.
One resident spoke to voice her opposition to the legislation and support for President Donald Trump, saying African immigrants were “distant cousins” of Black Americans.
“This is our home, not yours,” said Ella Moody. “It’s time to go take the money and run. Take the car. Take anything that ain’t bolted down, but the worst place to be in life is where you are not wanted.”
