Residents urge commissioners to oppose county housing of ICE detainees; public to submit resolution

Several Medina County residents used the public-comment period at the commissioners’ meeting to urge the Board of Commissioners not to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house civil immigration detainees in the county jail and to reject any future contracts with ICE. Nola Lother, of 3425 Forest Lake Drive, told the commissioners she was updating remarks she made in May and cited recent media reporting and the Ohio attorney general’s guidance that county commissioners, not local jail officials, must sign contracts to hold civil immigration detainees. “The detainee may be incarcerated for months or longer until the judge rules in the case,” Lother said, adding concerns about medical care, accommodation for vulnerable people and the use of private facilities. Several other residents presented similar pleas and a drafted resolution opposing county participation. Mary Emhoff of 5065 Fox Haven Drive read the group’s proposed resolution in full, which calls on Medina County to “not enter into, renew, or expand contracts or agreements to house immigrants arrested by ICE” and says local resources should not be diverted to federal immigration enforcement. Other speakers, including Kathy Giuliano of Granger Road and Jack Petrella of 234 W. North St., described the detention practices as a violation of due process and urged the commissioners to refuse any role in housing civil immigration detainees. Susan Burkett read a prepared statement supporting the proposed resolution and called the expansion of ICE activity into local jurisdictions “unconstitutional and...cruel and immoral.” Dan Walker offered personal anecdotes about immigrants in the military and workplace and urged local law enforcement to remain accountable to the community rather than federal enforcement actions. County staff said a written resolution opposing county participation will be submitted to the board for consideration; no formal vote on the public-drafted resolution occurred during the meeting. Why this matters: Residents say county acceptance of ICE detainees raises constitutional, humanitarian and liability concerns and could divert local jail resources and staff time. The public asked commissioners to adopt a policy against entering or renewing detention agreements with ICE. No formal board action was recorded at the meeting; the resolution is to be submitted for the commissioners’ consideration at a future date. Context and next steps: Speakers referenced an August 27 Cleveland Plain Dealer report and guidance from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost about who may sign detention agreements. Commissioners did not commit to immediate action during the meeting; staff indicated they would accept the resolution for formal consideration.