COLUMBUS –The debate over President Donald Trump’s ban on immigration and travel from seven majority-Muslim countries could pit Ohio’s Statehouse against its city halls.
Federal court hears arguments on immigration ban.
City officials in the state would be prohibited from adopting “sanctuary cities” protections for immigrants in the country illegally and could be held criminally liable for any crimes committed by such immigrants under a proposal headed to Ohio’s legislature.
A bill announced Monday by State Treasurer and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel and Rep. Candice Keller (R-Middletown) would define and outlaw sanctuary jurisdictions and declare sanctuary policies contrary to federal law and state interests.
“Sanctuary cities are an out-of-touch, misguided policy that snub their nose at our nation’s laws and undermine the security of our communities,” Mandel said. “Sanctuary cities will only empower our enemies, not deter them.”
“This bill would attempt to punish localities and city officials for not violating constitutional rights. This is extremely counterproductive and makes our communities less safe by pitting law enforcement against immigrant communities,” said Mike Brickner, senior policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.
Meanwhile, two Democratic representatives Stephanie Howse, of Cleveland, and Dan Ramos, of Lorain, say they will introduce legislation that would make Ohio a sanctuary state.
The measures comes as U.S. cities, including Cincinnati and Columbus, have enacted certain immigrant protections in the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther signed an executive order Friday saying that city resources would not be used to enforce federal immigration laws and his office issued a statement Monday reinforcing the pledge.
“Unlike Treasurer Josh Mandel, Mayor Ginther will not use fear as a reason for discrimination and will not pick and choose who he protects based on religion or national origin,” said spokesperson Robin Davis. “Regardless of one’s views on immigration, it is reprehensible and unconstitutional to use Ohio criminal law in an attempt to shut down differing opinions on this issue.”
Davis says courts have ruled that local police do not have the authority to make their own immigration arrests.
The term “sanctuary city” currently lacks definition, but generally refers to cities that instruct police to avoid inquiries about immigration status and decline immigration officials’ requests to detain defendants awaiting deportation.