Lisa Lee Kohler, president of the League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown, told the Mahoning County commissioners on Oct. 9 that the league urges commissioners to terminate any contracts that would have the county detain immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.

Kohler told the board that the league supports federal immigration reform and, pending reforms, believes counties should not participate in civil detention of noncriminal immigrants. She referenced a recent opinion by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, saying, "Ohio counties may, if they choose, contract with the federal government to house individuals with the federal government under ICE custody," and emphasized that such contracting is voluntary at the county level.

Kohler said counties that cooperate by housing immigrants without criminal histories "are willingly participating in a system that lacks humanity and lacks due process," and urged commissioners to terminate such contracts and to encourage congressional action on immigration policy. She noted the league's support for due process rights including counsel, appeal and humane treatment.

A member of the public who spoke after Kohler expressed a contrary position, arguing that the county should continue to cooperate with ICE and that detainees were being treated humanely. That speaker said the county had affirmed the contract and intended to continue it; that remark is reported here as a public commenter opposed to terminating the contract.

Commissioners did not vote on or direct a change to any immigration-related contract at the Oct. 9 meeting. The topic was raised during public comment; no formal agenda item or motion concerning detention contracts was listed or acted upon during the session.

Clarifying points from the meeting: Kohler cited the Ohio Attorney General's opinion as the legal basis that counties have discretion to sign federal detention contracts; she and the league emphasized that execution of contracts rests with county commissioners and is voluntary. The public comment period included exchange but did not produce a formal request for immediate board action.

No binding action was taken by the board at the meeting on Oct. 9.