In a move aimed at protecting the city’s immigrant community, the Cincinnati City Council has passed a series of measures restricting federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from utilizing city-owned resources for immigration enforcement purposes.
The newly approved regulations prohibit federal agencies from accessing city-owned property and surveillance footage for immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant or when not pursuing a known criminal suspect. This includes live feeds from city cameras, drones, and license plate readers. Additionally, the city will review operations that collect citizenship or naturalization information to ensure compliance with these new policies.
Mayor Aftab Pureval emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “We want to make sure we’re able to vet new cases and develop policies that protect Cincinnati into the future.” Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney added, “I think it’s important to send a message to the people of Cincinnati that all of our residents are vitally important to us, and that includes our immigrant communities.”
These actions come in response to national and local concerns over recent fatal ICE shootings in Minneapolis earlier this year. The council’s decision reflects a commitment to ensuring that local resources are not used to “unlawfully target and terrorize” residents.
While the measures received broad support within the council, some members cautioned that these restrictions could potentially strain relationships with federal partners. The city aims to balance the protection of its residents with maintaining cooperative relationships with federal agencies.
These regulations are set to take effect 30 days from their passage, marking a significant step in Cincinnati’s efforts to safeguard the rights and safety of its immigrant population.