Columbus Council adopts package limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

Columbus City Council on Feb. 23 adopted a multi-part package and an accompanying resolution intended to limit local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement and to increase transparency in federal operations in the city.

Councilmember Rosa de Padilla framed the package as clarifying the city’s role: the measures do not attempt to rewrite federal law but aim to prevent city property, employees and resources from being used in ways that undermine trust or divert local services. The Columbus Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs presented a companion resolution urging federal agents to visibly display identification, use marked vehicles, refrain from non-medical tactical face coverings when interacting with residents, and operate “in full compliance with federal, state, and local law.” Jesus Valencia, a commission member, told council, "When enforcement is transparent, there's accountability."

Public testimony largely supported council action: Central Ohio Workers Center (represented by Claudia Cortez Reinhardt) and Community Refugee and Immigration Services (Angie Plummer) argued the measures are needed to preserve trust between residents and local public-safety agencies. Several speakers, including Ted Welch and youth leaders, described fear among families and students and urged protections for schools and daycare centers. One public commenter, Ella Moody, voiced opposition to the package in a personal and confrontational statement during public comment.

Council votes and ordinance summaries (all passed): - Ordinance 0515 (enact section 161.11): bars the city from entering 287(g) agreements without explicit council approval; passed by roll call. - Ordinance 0518: prohibits city employees from holding secondary employment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection or ICE, with exemption for official duties; passed. - Ordinance 0519: enacts sections 2317.53 and 2317.54 to protect schools and child-care centers by making harassment or obstruction within 15 feet of those premises a first-degree misdemeanor and increasing penalties for harassment of employees on that basis; passed after city-attorney office explained reporting and prosecutorial discretion. - Ordinance 0520: amends zoning code to add a special-permit category for detention facilities, citing oversight and health-and-safety concerns; passed. - Ordinance 0566: creates a new chapter on city property and immigration enforcement restricting the use of city-controlled parking lots, garages and vacant lots for federal immigration enforcement; directs finance and management to create signage, physical barriers where needed, and employee reporting rules; passed.

Council members repeatedly noted these actions are limited in scope and many aspects of federal enforcement remain outside city control; several members described the package as a signal to congressional representatives and a means to protect community trust. The commission asked council to forward the resolution to the city's congressional delegation for advocacy.

Next steps: ordinances take effect per their emergency clauses and implementation duties assigned to relevant departments, including signage and reporting procedures for city-controlled spaces.