COLUMBUS, Ohio — A controversial new bill, introduced by Republican Representative Josh Williams of Ohio’s 41st district, is pushing to impose strict mandates on local and state cooperation with federal immigration authorities. House Bill 666, branded the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, proposes that law enforcement agencies across the state be required to actively assist federal immigration officials or face severe funding penalties.
At the heart of the legislation is a demand for local law enforcement agencies, including city police departments and county sheriffs, to fully participate in federal immigration programs, such as those designed to verify the status of individuals in custody. This would compel officers to report any person suspected of being undocumented directly to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It would also require these agencies to comply with detainer requests, regardless of the local policies or community interests.
The bill’s financial penalties are not insignificant. It threatens to strip local jurisdictions of homeland security funding and reduce state financial support for any entity refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The Ohio Attorney General would be responsible for investigating complaints and enforcing these penalties, meaning that the economic consequences for noncompliance could be dire for cities and towns already strapped for resources.
Proponents argue this legislation is about public safety, but many see it as a clear attack on Ohio’s immigrant communities, particularly those living in sanctuary cities—areas that limit cooperation with ICE to protect immigrants from federal overreach. Critics warn that this bill will sow fear and mistrust, making immigrant communities less likely to report crimes or seek help from law enforcement, thus making everyone less safe.
Furthermore, the bill requires local governments to verify the immigration status of anyone applying for public benefits, effectively creating additional barriers for marginalized groups to access critical services. By using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, the legislation seems designed to make life harder for undocumented immigrants and their families, many of whom contribute to the local economy and are part of Ohio’s social fabric.
The bill’s sponsors aim to push it through under an emergency clause, which means it could take effect immediately if passed. This move is seen by critics as an attempt to fast-track the legislation without providing adequate time for public debate or consideration of its broader social impacts.
For many in Ohio, this bill represents a dangerous escalation in anti-immigrant sentiment, reinforcing fears that vulnerable communities are being targeted under the guise of law and order.