Columbus City Council Advances Restrictions on ICE Operations

Columbus, OH – The Columbus City Council is moving forward with legislation designed to limit cooperation between local law enforcement, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aiming to protect residents and define the boundaries of local government involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Legislative Package Details

A legislative package, unveiled on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, proposes several key restrictions on ICE operations within the city. These proposals stem from concerns about the impact of federal enforcement tactics on workers, families, and the overall community. Similar efforts to curb federal overreach have been introduced in cities such as Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and Baltimore.

Property Restrictions

The legislation would bar ICE agents from accessing non-public parking garages without a valid judicial warrant. The city also plans to implement signage at public sites to notify agents of this prohibition.

Employment Rules

City employees would be prohibited from holding secondary employment with ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, further limiting local involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

Zoning and Safety Measures

The package includes a recent special employ permit requirement for detention centers within city limits. It establishes a first-degree misdemeanor charge for harassing, stalking, or obstructing behavior at schools and daycares.

Community Concerns and Testimony

Council President Shannon Hardin emphasized the broader impact of ICE activity, stating that fear within communities affects overall stability. “When families are living in fear, when workers are targeted and when children are scared to go to school, we are not just failing a single group – we are failing ourselves,” Hardin said.

A hearing on February 17th included testimony from the Columbus Division of Police, the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, CAIR-Ohio, and Community Refugee &amp. Immigration Services (CRIS). Lynn Tramonte of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance presented data indicating that, between the start of President Trump’s second term and mid-October 2025, 4,568 people were detained in Ohio, with the vast majority being Hispanic men with no violent criminal offenses. Less than 300 of those detained had violent criminal offenses.

Additional Measures Under Consideration

The City Council is also considering a resolution from the City’s Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. This resolution calls for federal agents to visibly identify themselves with name badges, refrain from using face coverings, and meet training standards equivalent to Ohio police certification.

President Pro Tem Rob Dorans acknowledged the city’s limited control over federal agents but asserted the ability to regulate the local environment where they operate, including staging areas and facility locations. He also highlighted the city’s capacity to support the City Attorney in prosecuting any illegal misconduct.

Next Steps

The Columbus City Council is expected to vote on several of the ordinances as early as February 23, 2026. The outcome of this vote will significantly shape the city’s approach to cooperation with federal immigration authorities and its commitment to protecting the rights and safety of its residents.