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Residents urge Butler County commissioners to end ICE contract after recent federal agent killings
Summary
Scores of Butler County residents used the board's public-comment period to demand the county terminate its jail'use contract with ICE, citing recent killings of civilians by federal agents and asserting that county facilities enable federal detention. Commissioners acknowledged the concerns but declined to cancel the contract at the meeting.
Scores of residents told the Butler County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 that the county should end its contract allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to use the county jail, linking the agreement to recent killings by federal agents and to alleged civil-rights abuses.
Ellen Price of Oxford told commissioners she had contacted members of Congress but spoke to the county because "this is an urgent emergency" and because "it is not just that Butler County has a contract with ICE to use its jails." She said recent events, including the killing of Alex Preddy, made local oversight imperative and called for the board to act.
Other speakers described fears in schools and communities. Elizabeth Miller, who works for a Butler County school district, reported students asking whether ICE "is it dangerous to come to school today?" and whether ICE "can come and take our addresses from the school?" She said teachers are concerned for students' safety and urged commissioners to end Butler County's cooperation with ICE.
Graduate and community voices were consistent in tone and content. Saffera Miller, a Miami University student, told the board that "ICE's power only comes from your complacency," arguing that county-level refusal to provide jail space would reduce federal enforcement reach. Sharon Meyer, a volunteer and former teacher, said the county is complicit by permitting ICE to use the jail and asked the board to "break your normal policy and terminate the Butler County's contract with ICE because these are not normal times."
At one point speakers cited legal and policy context. Kathy Brinkman referenced an opinion by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost that described the board of county commissioners as "the representative and guardian of the county" with jurisdiction over county affairs and finances and argued that commissioners have authority to examine major contracts.
In response, the board president said the commissioners generally do not interfere with other elected officeholders' operations but acknowledged they have the authority to approve or cancel contracts. He stated, "I also said that I wasn't going to cancel the contract," and emphasized wanting public comments to remain focused on county matters. Commissioners and staff discussed whether repeated weekly comments on the same topic were impeding regular business and considered creating a separate forum for sustained advocacy.
The meeting produced no formal action to change the contract. The county administrator reiterated public-comment rules and said commissioners will record concerns in the public record; commissioners did not direct staff to initiate contract termination or a formal legal review at the meeting.
What comes next: residents asked the board to publicly pressure federal actors and to use the county's administrative authority regarding contracts. The commissioners did not adopt that course during the meeting; advocates who spoke said they will continue contacting federal and state officials and returning to future commission meetings.
Quotes from the meeting include: "This is an urgent emergency for our democracy," said Ellen Price; "Stop the contract with ICE," said multiple speakers; and the president of the board said, "I also said that I wasn't going to cancel the contract."
