OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Columbus City Council Hearing on ICE Enforcement and Protective Legislation — February 17, 2026

Council Committees — Tuesday, February 17, 2026
BodyColumbus, Ohio
SessionCouncil Committees
DateTuesday, February 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:39:48

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

We are going to go ahead and call this uh hearing to order.

0:07

Tonight we are here to examine serious concerns regarding the overreach of U.S.

0:12

immigration and customs enforcement, commonly known as ICE, and to consider legislation that protects the safety, constitutional rights, and dignity of every person who calls Columbus home.

0:24

I want to begin by thanking all of my colleagues for being here tonight, our community partners, advocates, and residents.

0:31

I wish that folks online could see that we have an open house today.

0:36

I feel like it's a little bit of a family reunion because all of you have been partners in this work for so long.

0:41

I want to thank all of our residents who, whether you took the time to send in written testimony or you're here with us this evening to participate in this important hearing tonight.

0:52

Your presence here reflects the seriousness of this moment.

0:57

I believe deeply that local government has a responsibility to ensure that every person in our community feels safe, respected, and protected under the law.

1:08

Local resources exist to serve local residents, not to advance unchecked federal enforcement actions.

1:17

We cannot ignore federal law or federal policy, but we can decide how our city interacts with it.

1:25

We can determine how our resources are used to address local priorities, such as public health, housing stability, and public safety.

1:36

And we know that safety does not come from fear.

1:40

It does not come from confusion about who has authority.

1:44

And it certainly does not come from practices that erode trust between residents and the very institutions meant to serve them.

1:55

In fact, the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution limits the federal government's ability to commandeer local resources.

2:03

The Constitution applies to everyone, to everyone within our borders.

2:10

No agency, federal, state, or local, is above the Constitution.

2:16

Due process is not optional.

2:18

Civil rights are not conditional.

2:21

When enforcement practices appear to exceed lawful authority or undermine basic protections, it is our obligation to respond.

2:31

In our community and communities across the country like ours, we have heard troubling reports of ICE enforcement actions that go beyond reasonable boundaries, actions that create fear in schools, workplaces, houses of worship, and neighborhoods.

2:46

When residents are afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or cooperate with local law enforcement because they fear immigration consequences.

2:56

All of us are less safe regardless of your immigration status.

3:02

Tonight's conversation will be grounded in facts and respect.

3:08

We welcome a range of perspectives.

3:30

Clear boundaries between federal immigration enforcement and our community are not obstruction.

3:36

They are acts of governance.

3:39

The legislation before us is rooted in the safety of our people and communities through the protection of public spaces, setting clear standards and protocols, and limiting unauthorized cooperation.

3:51

I am proud of the resilience and diversity of our community.

3:56

Immigrants, documented and undocumented, are our neighbors, business owners, students, parents, and essential workers.

4:05

They contribute to our economy, our culture, and our shared future.

4:11

Their dignity and their rights are not abstract principles.

4:15

They are lived realities in our neighborhoods every day.

4:20

Our responsibility tonight is to listen carefully, legislate thoughtfully, and to act lawfully.

4:28

And tonight we begin that work together.

4:31

Thank you all for being here.

4:32

I want to pass the floor to Council President for opening remarks.

4:37

Well, thank you, Madam Chair.

4:39

I um grateful for everyone for being here.

4:43

This is when ICE uh enforcement increased in Columbus.

4:49

Uh, I said many will say that uh this is who we are, that we are a town that would be okay with it.

4:57

And I said no, the response to this is who Columbus is.

5:01

And looking out on this uh crowd today, seeing the testimonies that we've already received, it speaks to who we are as a city.

5:08

So I am very, very grateful from the bottom of our hearts for the work that you do that Councilmember uh talked about.

5:16

I certainly want to thank uh Councilmember Rosa de Padilla uh and President Pro Tim Dorrans for your leadership uh on this legislative package.

5:25

Uh it has been thoughtful, it has been open, and it has been heartfelt uh and proud to be uh here as well.

5:34

I also want to thank our residents and the advocates and educators and faith leaders, business owners, and community partners who have taken the time to show up and engage in this conversation.

5:44

Know that your presence matters, know that your voice matters.

5:50

Yes, we are here today to talk about protecting our community from aggressive immigration enforcement practices.

5:56

But I also want to be clear that this conversation is about more than just immigration policy.

6:03

This is about who we are as a city, our humanity.

6:07

It's about economic development, because cities thrive when people feel safe going to work, opening businesses, and investing their future.

6:16

Fear does not grow small businesses.

6:19

Fear does not attract talent, and fear does not build a strong local economy.

6:25

It's also about safety because a city is less safe when parents are afraid to drive their children to school, when workers are hesitant to report crimes, and when neighbors avoid interacting with public institutions that are meant to serve them.

6:41

Know that it's about travel and tourism, because cities known for compassion, stability, and trust are places people want to visit, to learn in, and to return to.

6:54

Know that it's about education and child care and pre-K, because no parent or family should fear taking their child to school or to daycare.

7:04

And at its core, it's about our shared humanity.

7:09

Aggressive enforcement tactics do not happen in a vacuum.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Immigration Policy█████████████████████████████████████████████65%
Public Safety███████████████22%
Community Engagement████6%
Procedural█2%
Racial Equity█2%
Economic Development█1%
Zoning And Land Use█1%
Public Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Columbus City Council Hearing on ICE Enforcement and Protective Legislation — February 17, 2026

On February 17, 2026, the Columbus City Council held a special hearing to examine concerns about overreach by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to consider a package of legislation aimed at protecting the safety, constitutional rights, and dignity of all Columbus residents. The hearing included presentations from the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, Columbus Division of Police, the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and the city's Legislative Research Office, followed by extensive public testimony. Councilmembers heard from over 20 community witnesses, including representatives of resettlement agencies, legal aid organizations, faith groups, and directly impacted residents.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar was presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Sileshi Ayalo Asfaw (ETSS): Expressed strong support for the legislative package, highlighting protections for public spaces, schools, and daycares; support for requiring council approval of 287(g) agreements; support for creating an evidence repository; and support for zoning restrictions on detention facilities.
  • Karen Mozenter (Jewish Family Services): Supported the legislation, stating that families with legal status are not safe and that the city cannot stop federal activity but can regulate use of city resources and property.
  • Angie Plummer (CRIS – Community Refugee & Immigration Services): Supported the legislation, noting that the rescission of sensitive-locations protections has led to fear among residents. She cited examples of a Somali woman considering canceling surgery and crime victims afraid to go to court.
  • Elizabeth Brown (YWCA Columbus): Strongly supported the ordinance package, urging ongoing conversations with law enforcement about traffic stops, ICE holds, and how low-level violations are defined.
  • Dania Hamad (Franklin County Public Defender Collective): Described regular, visible ICE presence at the Franklin County Municipal Courthouse, stating that ICE agents often operate in plain clothes with civil warrants (not judicial warrants), infringing on due process rights. She noted that clients are sometimes taken before attorneys are informed.
  • Anisa Liban (Our Helpers): Shared a story of a family whose car was rammed by ICE, leading to detention of the mother and severe disruption. She urged the council to pass the legislation and invest in nonprofits providing emergency response.
  • Dorothy Hasan (Our Helpers): Described the Central Ohio Rapid Response Network (CORN), which coordinated food deliveries to 332 families during "Operation Buckeye" in December 2025, and highlighted the need for legal referrals and material support.
  • Sudarshan Pyakurel (Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio): Expressed strong support, noting that 49 Bhutanese community members have been deported to Bhutan, a country that does not recognize them. He said the pattern of targeting "criminals" initially is repeating.
  • Emilia Sheeley (Riverview International Center): Supported the legislation, noting that over 2,000 individuals from 60 countries were served in 2025, and that families are fearful.
  • Sarah DeMeo (Ohio Hispanic Coalition): Strongly supported the code changes, stating that being Latino is being persecuted and that families are already changing behavior out of fear.
  • Mark Fickey (Haitian Community Network): Spoke in strong support, noting that Haitian TPS holders contribute an estimated $5.9 billion annually to the U.S. economy and tens of millions to Columbus. He described a mother avoiding school drop-offs and a daycare provider facing intimidation.
  • Jonah Hilario (OPAL – Asian & Pacific Islander Ohioan Alliance): Supported the legislation, noting that AAPIs account for about one in seven undocumented immigrants and that fear is widespread. He called for increased funding for legal defense and urged the city to cut ties with mass surveillance companies like Flock Safety.
  • Andrew Hash: Asked the city to release a Fourth Amendment workplace flyer with the city seal, and urged prevention of ICE detention facilities in Columbus.
  • Leo Almeida: Shared a personal story as a naturalized citizen from Brazil and expressed support, stating that local control can limit ICE's harmful tactics.
  • Charles: Expressed conditional support, calling for abolition of jails and detention centers, rent control, livable wages, and removal of citizenship requirements for public benefits. He criticized increased police budgets.
  • Colleen O'Connell: Voiced strong support for any policies protecting neighbors targeted by ICE, including preventing city resources from being used by ICE and not contracting with businesses that work with ICE.
  • Phenon Bon Su: Expressed reservation about ICE's lawlessness and asked what individuals can do in real-time encounters to stay safe without being killed.
  • Ted Welsh: Expressed support for the legislation, emphasizing the need to protect immigrant communities and called for careful choice of business partners, stating "when we have cancer, we have to do things that are uncomfortable."

Discussion Items

  • Ohio Immigrant Alliance Presentation (Lynn Tramonte): Provided data showing that from February to mid-October 2025, 4,568 people were detained in Ohio on civil immigration charges; 3,924 were Hispanic, 4,130 were men, and only 1,200 had a criminal history of any kind (including traffic offenses). The median length of stay for those without a criminal history was 29 days. Butler County Jail makes at least $105 per person per day and is planning $11 million in revenue for 2025. 701 people from Columbus were detained, with 50% sent to Butler County. Tramonte noted that civil immigration laws are enforced with guns, unlike tax laws, and that ICE uses ruses like smashing car windows.
  • Columbus Division of Police (Assistant Chief Converse): Stated that CPD has no 287(g) agreement with ICE. CPD does not enforce immigration law solely based on status, does not assist in removal, does not self-deploy to immigration events, and does not escort ICE agents. CPD personnel are trained in active bystander intervention. Officers are required to identify themselves with a Columbus Police badge, badge number, and marked uniform.
  • Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs: Presented a resolution calling on ICE to visibly display identification, mark vehicles, refrain from non-medical face coverings, be trained to a 22-week standard, and conduct themselves in accordance with all laws. The city attorney noted that the city cannot mandate standards for federal agencies, so the resolution is non-binding and an advocacy tool.
  • Legislative Research Office (Director Matt Erickson): Presented a package of policies under consideration:
    • Prohibiting 287(g) Agreements: Would require council approval before CPD could enter into such agreements. This is a draft ordinance.
    • Evidence Gathering Repository: Would direct the mayor's office to establish a centralized repository for community documentation of ICE transgressions. Concerns include chain of custody, public records requests, and potential liability. Still under discussion.
    • Staging and Use of Public Spaces: Would prohibit using city-controlled properties as staging areas for civil immigration enforcement unless a judicial warrant is required. Would require signage at city properties and provide template signage for private property owners.
    • Obstruction and Harassment at Schools and Daycare Centers: Would increase penalties for obstruction or harassment within 15 feet of schools or daycares to a first-degree misdemeanor (previously fourth-degree). Also covers telecommunications harassment of employees.
    • Secondary Employment Prohibition: Would prohibit city employees from holding secondary employment with ICE or CBP, with exceptions for official anti-terrorism duties unrelated to immigration enforcement.
    • Detention Center Special Use Permit: Would require ICE detention facilities to obtain a special use permit from the Board of Zoning Adjustments, effectively limiting where such facilities could operate.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken. The hearing was held to gather public input and refine the legislative package before a council vote on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • Some ordinances will be introduced on Monday; others may be brought forward in subsequent weeks pending further refinement.
  • Councilmembers committed to continued conversations with the Franklin County Sheriff and municipal court regarding ICE presence and warrant policies.
  • The council plans to share a one-pager summarizing the legislation with the public.

Meeting Transcript

We are going to go ahead and call this uh hearing to order. Tonight we are here to examine serious concerns regarding the overreach of U.S. immigration and customs enforcement, commonly known as ICE, and to consider legislation that protects the safety, constitutional rights, and dignity of every person who calls Columbus home. I want to begin by thanking all of my colleagues for being here tonight, our community partners, advocates, and residents. I wish that folks online could see that we have an open house today. I feel like it's a little bit of a family reunion because all of you have been partners in this work for so long. I want to thank all of our residents who, whether you took the time to send in written testimony or you're here with us this evening to participate in this important hearing tonight. Your presence here reflects the seriousness of this moment. I believe deeply that local government has a responsibility to ensure that every person in our community feels safe, respected, and protected under the law. Local resources exist to serve local residents, not to advance unchecked federal enforcement actions. We cannot ignore federal law or federal policy, but we can decide how our city interacts with it. We can determine how our resources are used to address local priorities, such as public health, housing stability, and public safety. And we know that safety does not come from fear. It does not come from confusion about who has authority. And it certainly does not come from practices that erode trust between residents and the very institutions meant to serve them. In fact, the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution limits the federal government's ability to commandeer local resources. The Constitution applies to everyone, to everyone within our borders. No agency, federal, state, or local, is above the Constitution. Due process is not optional. Civil rights are not conditional. When enforcement practices appear to exceed lawful authority or undermine basic protections, it is our obligation to respond. In our community and communities across the country like ours, we have heard troubling reports of ICE enforcement actions that go beyond reasonable boundaries, actions that create fear in schools, workplaces, houses of worship, and neighborhoods. When residents are afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or cooperate with local law enforcement because they fear immigration consequences. All of us are less safe regardless of your immigration status. Tonight's conversation will be grounded in facts and respect. We welcome a range of perspectives. Clear boundaries between federal immigration enforcement and our community are not obstruction. They are acts of governance. The legislation before us is rooted in the safety of our people and communities through the protection of public spaces, setting clear standards and protocols, and limiting unauthorized cooperation. I am proud of the resilience and diversity of our community. Immigrants, documented and undocumented, are our neighbors, business owners, students, parents, and essential workers. They contribute to our economy, our culture, and our shared future. Their dignity and their rights are not abstract principles. They are lived realities in our neighborhoods every day. Our responsibility tonight is to listen carefully, legislate thoughtfully, and to act lawfully. And tonight we begin that work together. Thank you all for being here. I want to pass the floor to Council President for opening remarks. Well, thank you, Madam Chair. I um grateful for everyone for being here. This is when ICE uh enforcement increased in Columbus. Uh, I said many will say that uh this is who we are, that we are a town that would be okay with it. And I said no, the response to this is who Columbus is. And looking out on this uh crowd today, seeing the testimonies that we've already received, it speaks to who we are as a city. So I am very, very grateful from the bottom of our hearts for the work that you do that Councilmember uh talked about. I certainly want to thank uh Councilmember Rosa de Padilla uh and President Pro Tim Dorrans for your leadership uh on this legislative package. Uh it has been thoughtful, it has been open, and it has been heartfelt uh and proud to be uh here as well. I also want to thank our residents and the advocates and educators and faith leaders, business owners, and community partners who have taken the time to show up and engage in this conversation. Know that your presence matters, know that your voice matters. Yes, we are here today to talk about protecting our community from aggressive immigration enforcement practices.

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