The Republican Ohio House has proposed sweeping legislation (dubbed the “Cooperation Package”) to compel local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The proposed laws would ban sanctuary city policies, make being undocumented a state felony, and mandate ICE access to sensitive locations like hospitals. Here are bill descriptions, as well as a link to articles about these bills and Democrats’ ICE-related proposals.
HB 26: Mandatory Police Cooperation – Would prohibit local governments from enacting “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration officials. Mandates that all law enforcement agencies in Ohio comply with detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It explicitly removes the discretion local departments currently have to prioritize other public safety issues over federal civil immigration violations. Includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, bypassing the standard 90-day waiting period. Municipalities that fail to comply could face significant reductions in state funding.
HB 200: Unauthorized Presence in Ohio – An individual found to be in the state without legal documentation would be guilty of a fifth-degree felony. Grants local and state police the authority to arrest individuals solely on the basis of their suspected immigration status, a power traditionally reserved for federal agents.
HB 281: Healthcare – Requires hospitals and mental health centers to grant federal immigration agents access to their premises for enforcement operations. Healthcare providers who refuse entry could face penalties, including the revocation of state grants or Medicaid funding. Opponents, including the Ohio Hospital Association, have previously warned that such measures could create a public health risk by discouraging undocumented residents from seeking care during emergencies.
HB 554: Expands the definition of Obstruction of Justice – Makes it a felony to physically impede or interfere with federal immigration agents during the performance of their duties. This could include actions such as blocking doorways or intervening in an arrest, elevating what might currently be a minor offense to a serious state-level crime.
To read more click here, and here to read about Democrat proposals. contact your legislators: Rep. Schmidt 614-466-8134, Rep. Adam Bird 614-644-6034, and Sen. Johnson 614-466-8082.
If you would like to be a part of our Legislative Action Team, a group we count on to respond “on cue” to call legislators about a specific concern within a narrow timeframe, send your email address to Ron Warner at warnerrr@gmail.com.
