Columbus hearing lays out plan for Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs after OSU study and broad community support

Columbus Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla introduced a proposal to create a City of Columbus Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, saying the body would give immigrant and refugee residents a formal platform to shape local services. The ordinance number referenced in the hearing was 25/17/2024; staff said the final text is still in development and expected to return to council for consideration.

Christopher Maitland of the council's legislative research office said the commission would consist of 15 members appointed by city council, with initial staggered terms of two to three years, and later three-year appointments. He said the commission would adopt bylaws, elect leadership, form subcommittees, develop an annual workplan with metrics, and work with city staff to monitor federal, state and local legislation that affects immigrant communities.

The hearing included a research presentation by Arati Makalu of The Ohio State University College of Social Work, lead author of the Immigrants Make Columbus project. Makalu described a mixed-methods study that engaged residents from 23 countries of…