Key Takeaways
• Columbus refuses local police help with federal immigration enforcement unless criminal violation or court order exists.
• Ohio senator introduced bill to force Columbus cooperation with ICE, threatening sanctuary city policies.
• Trump administration threatens lawsuits and funding cuts; Supreme Court upheld status revocations for 500,000 immigrants.
Columbus, Ohio, Stands Firm as Trump Administration Pressures Local Immigration Enforcement
As of late May 2025, Columbus, Ohio, has become a focal point in the national debate over immigration enforcement. The city’s mayor, Andrew Ginther, has made it clear that Columbus will not use local police or city resources to enforce federal immigration laws, even as the Trump administration increases pressure and state lawmakers introduce new legislation to force compliance. This standoff is shaping the lives of thousands of immigrants, city officials, law enforcement, and community organizations across Central Ohio.
Who is involved?
Mayor Andrew Ginther, the Columbus Division of Police, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, Ohio State Senator Kristina Roegner, the Trump administration, local immigrant support organizations, and the city’s immigrant and refugee communities.
What is happening?
Columbus is refusing to help federal authorities enforce immigration laws unless there is a criminal violation or a court order. This policy, in place since 2017, is now under renewed attack from both the Trump administration and the Ohio legislature. The city faces threats of legal action and possible loss of federal funding if it does not comply.
When and where?
The latest developments unfolded between May 29 and May 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio, and the Ohio Statehouse. The U.S. Supreme Court also issued a major decision affecting immigrants nationwide during this period.
Why is this happening?
The Trump administration has resumed aggressive immigration enforcement, including revoking temporary legal status for over 500,000 immigrants and demanding that cities like Columbus help carry out federal immigration laws. State lawmakers are also pushing to override local policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
How is Columbus responding?
Mayor Ginther and city leaders are standing firm, insisting that local police will not be used to enforce federal immigration laws except in cases involving criminal activity or court orders. The city is also working to reassure immigrant communities and maintain support services, even as federal funding is threatened.
Columbus’s Policy: Local Law Enforcement and Immigration
Columbus’s approach to immigration enforcement is rooted in a 2017 executive order signed by Mayor Ginther. This order states that:
- Columbus police and city resources will not be used to enforce federal immigration laws unless there is a criminal violation or a court order.
- No city employee will investigate or detain residents solely based on immigration status.
- The city will not use its $400 million annual law enforcement budget to assist in federal immigration enforcement.
Mayor Ginther has repeatedly stated, “We elect presidents, not kings,” emphasizing that Columbus will remain a welcoming city for all residents, regardless of immigration status. The Columbus Division of Police follows this policy, only arresting or detaining individuals for immigration reasons if there is a valid warrant or criminal violation.
Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin has also clarified that his office only honors criminal detainers issued by a court, not civil immigration detainers from ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). This means that unless there is a court order, local law enforcement will not hold someone for ICE.
State Pushback: New Legislation Targets Columbus
On May 29, 2025, Ohio State Senator Kristina Roegner introduced new legislation aimed directly at Columbus’s policies. The proposed law would:
- Force Columbus judges and officials to cooperate with federal deportation efforts
- Prohibit any interference with ICE operations
- Require local law enforcement to assist ICE when requested
Senator Roegner argues that “no one suspected of being unlawfully present is privileged from arrest.” This bill is part of a broader effort by the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature to override local “sanctuary” policies and ensure statewide cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
As of now, none of these bills have become law, but the legislative pressure on Columbus continues to grow. Legal experts point out that while Columbus’s policies are consistent with the “home rule” provisions of the Ohio Constitution, state preemption remains a real risk if new laws are passed.
Federal Pressure: Trump Administration’s Demands and Supreme Court Ruling
The Trump administration has made it clear that it expects cities like Columbus to help enforce federal immigration laws. Federal officials have threatened legal action and the loss of federal funding for cities that do not comply. The Department of Justice has been directed to investigate and potentially sue cities found to be impeding ICE operations.
On May 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration’s decision to revoke temporary legal status for over 500,000 immigrants. This ruling has created even more uncertainty and fear among immigrant communities, both in Columbus and across the United States 🇺🇸.
The Trump administration’s broader immigration agenda includes:
- Pausing refugee admissions
- Increasing vetting of immigrants
- Ending birthright citizenship (though this is currently blocked by federal courts)
- Revoking temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands
These policies have had a chilling effect on immigrant communities, with many people avoiding public spaces and some children missing school out of fear of enforcement actions.
Impact on Immigrants and Community Organizations
The practical effects of these policies are being felt across Columbus and Central Ohio. Three main resettlement organizations—Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS), Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), and Jewish Family Services (JFS)—are at risk of losing millions in federal funding due to Trump administration directives. These organizations provide vital services, including:
- Rent assistance
- Legal aid
- Job placement
- Healthcare for legal immigrants
If federal funding is cut, thousands of legal immigrants could lose access to these essential services. Local agencies are already preparing for the possibility of reduced resources, which could make it harder for immigrants and refugees to settle and thrive in Columbus.
Immigrant advocates warn that the chilling effect of federal policies extends beyond undocumented immigrants. Even legal immigrants are feeling anxious, and community trust in law enforcement is being eroded. Some families are keeping their children home from school, and others are avoiding hospitals or public events.
Law Enforcement: Balancing Local Priorities and Federal Demands
Columbus police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office have made it clear that their focus is on crime prevention and community safety, not immigration enforcement. Their current procedures include:
- Responding to ICE requests only if there is a criminal violation or a valid court order
- Not detaining individuals solely for immigration status
- Honoring only criminal detainers issued by a court, not civil immigration detainers from ICE
This approach is designed to build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, making it easier for victims and witnesses of crime to come forward without fear of deportation.
Schools and Education: Protecting Immigrant Students
Columbus City Schools have reassured families that all students, regardless of immigration status, have the right to an education. School officials have stated that schools remain safe spaces and will not cooperate with ICE enforcement actions on school grounds. This policy is intended to ensure that children can attend school without fear and that families feel supported by the education system.
Community Response: Support and Advocacy
Faith leaders, community advocates, and immigrant support organizations have been meeting with Mayor Ginther to express concerns and seek reassurance for immigrant communities. The city’s Strategic Welcoming Plan, implemented between 2022 and 2025, has focused on partnering with local and national organizations to support immigrants and refugees.
Community organizations like CRIS, ETSS, and JFS continue to provide support, though they face uncertainty about future funding. Immigrants and refugees in Columbus can access help with housing, legal issues, employment, and healthcare through these groups.
Legal and Legislative Outlook: What Comes Next?
The situation in Columbus remains fluid, with several key developments on the horizon:
- State Legislation: Multiple bills are pending in the Ohio legislature that could force local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. If passed, these laws could override Columbus’s current policies and require local police to assist ICE.
- Federal Legal Action: The Department of Justice may sue cities like Columbus if they are found to be impeding ICE operations. Some funding freezes have been temporarily halted by judges, but the threat remains.
- Community Impact: If federal funding is cut, local immigrant support services could be severely reduced, affecting thousands of legal immigrants in Central Ohio.
- Ongoing Litigation: Some Trump executive orders, such as the end of birthright citizenship, are currently blocked by federal courts and under legal challenge.
Multiple Perspectives: Stakeholders and Their Concerns
| Stakeholder | Position/Concerns |
|---|---|
| Mayor Ginther/City Leaders | Oppose federal immigration crackdowns, maintain welcoming policies, focus on local safety |
| State GOP Lawmakers | Seek to override local sanctuary policies, require cooperation with ICE |
| Federal Government (Trump) | Demands local compliance, threatens legal action and funding cuts |
| Immigrant Advocates | Alarmed by increased enforcement, fear loss of services, report community anxiety |
| Law Enforcement | Maintain non-cooperation unless required by law, focus on crime prevention |
| Schools | Reassure immigrant families, uphold right to education |
Step-by-Step: How Columbus Handles Immigration Enforcement
- If ICE Requests Assistance:
Columbus police will only respond if there is a criminal violation or a valid court order. They will not detain individuals solely for immigration status. Detainers:
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office only honors criminal detainers issued by a court, not civil immigration detainers from ICE.Community Support:
Immigrants and refugees can access support through CRIS, ETSS, and JFS, though these services may be at risk due to federal funding uncertainties.
Official Resources and Where to Get Help
- City of Columbus, Office of the Mayor: columbus.gov
- Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS): crisohio.org
- Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS): etss.org
- Jewish Family Services (JFS): jfscolumbus.org
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): For official forms and immigration information, visit the USCIS website.
Background: How Columbus Became a Sanctuary City
Columbus’s current policies date back to 2017, when Mayor Ginther signed an executive order protecting immigrants and refugees. The city’s approach was shaped by a desire to build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities and to focus local resources on crime prevention rather than immigration enforcement.
Between 2022 and 2025, Columbus implemented a Strategic Welcoming Plan, working with local and national organizations to help immigrants and refugees settle in the city. This plan included efforts to provide language access, job training, and legal support.
The Trump administration’s return to aggressive immigration enforcement in 2025, including pausing refugee admissions and revoking temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands, has put Columbus’s policies under renewed scrutiny. State lawmakers have repeatedly tried to override local autonomy on immigration, reflecting a broader pattern of state preemption in Ohio.
What This Means for Immigrants, Families, and the City
For immigrants in Columbus, the current climate is one of uncertainty and fear. The Trump administration’s policies, combined with state legislative efforts, have made many people afraid to go to work, school, or even seek medical care. Local support organizations are doing their best to help, but the threat of funding cuts looms large.
For city officials and law enforcement, the challenge is to balance local priorities—like public safety and community trust—with federal and state demands for stricter immigration enforcement. Mayor Ginther and the Columbus Division of Police remain committed to their current policies, but the future is uncertain.
For the broader community, the debate over immigration laws in Columbus is about more than just legal status. It’s about what kind of city Columbus wants to be—one that welcomes newcomers and protects all residents, or one that prioritizes federal enforcement over local needs.
Looking Ahead: What to Watch For
- Will the Ohio legislature pass new laws forcing local cooperation with ICE?
- Will the Trump administration succeed in cutting federal funding to Columbus and similar cities?
- How will ongoing court cases, including challenges to the end of birthright citizenship, affect local policies?
- What will happen to the thousands of immigrants and refugees who rely on local support services if funding is lost?
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation in Columbus is being closely watched by cities across the United States 🇺🇸. The outcome could set important precedents for how local governments respond to federal immigration demands and how communities support their immigrant residents.
For the latest updates and official information, readers can visit the City of Columbus website or contact local immigrant support organizations. The story of Columbus, Ohio, is far from over, and its outcome will have lasting effects on immigration policy and community life in Central Ohio and beyond.
Learn Today
Sanctuary City → A city limiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect immigrants.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → Federal agency enforcing immigration laws, including deportations and detaining unauthorized immigrants.
Executive Order → A directive from a government mayor or president that manages operations within the government.
Preemption → Legal doctrine allowing state law to override local laws in cases of conflict.
Detainer → A request by ICE to hold a person in custody beyond their release for immigration enforcement.
This Article in a Nutshell
Columbus stands firm against federal immigration enforcement demands amid legal threats. Mayor Ginther rejects police involvement except criminal cases, supporting immigrant communities despite funding risks and new Ohio legislation challenging sanctuary policies. This standoff highlights growing tensions between local autonomy and federal immigration priorities nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
