Ohio
A high-level overview of immigration enforcement activity, school protection policies, and resources for families and educators in Ohio.
Overview
State context
Ohio has limited state-level immigration enforcement protections. Columbus and Cleveland have taken more welcoming local postures. Columbus City Schools and Cleveland Metropolitan School District serve large immigrant populations. ICE is active across the state, particularly in Columbus and in agricultural communities.
ICE activity
ICE is active in Ohio, with field operations in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and in agricultural communities in northwest Ohio. The Toledo area has a significant immigrant population tied to agriculture and food processing.
School policies
Columbus City Schools has issued some internal guidance for staff regarding immigration enforcement requests, but no formal warrant-based policy is in place. Cleveland and Cincinnati schools serve immigrant populations without formal protections.
Notes for advocates
Ohio's immigrant communities are diverse, including large Somali, Latino, and Asian populations. Columbus has one of the largest Somali diaspora communities in the United States, concentrated on the city's east side. Advocates in Columbus have pushed for formal school protections without success at the district policy level.
Is your district protected?
Find out whether your school district has a warrant-based policy in place, and what you can do if it doesn't.