The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas has officially banned civil immigration arrests on courthouse grounds, a move that has ignited a heated debate among legal experts, immigrant advocacy groups, and law enforcement officials. The ruling states that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents cannot make civil arrests within courthouse grounds unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge [2].
This Franklin County ICE ban follows reports of increased enforcement activity around the courthouse, which some judges argued intimidates immigrants and discourages participation in legal proceedings [4].
Supporters Say the Ban Protects Due Process
Immigrant rights advocates and legal professionals have praised the ban, saying it ensures equal access to the justice system. Judge Jaiza Page emphasized that courthouses should be places where people can seek justice without fear of being detained.
Advocacy groups, such as the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, argue that ICE’s presence at courthouses creates a chilling effect, discouraging victims of crimes and witnesses from appearing in court. They believe the Franklin County ICE policy will help ensure that individuals can access their legal rights without the fear of deportation [3].
Critics Say the Ban Undermines Immigration Law
Opponents, including conservative lawmakers and law enforcement officials, argue that the ruling interferes with ICE’s ability to enforce federal immigration laws. Some officials claim that courthouses are controlled environments where ICE can safely detain individuals with deportation orders, rather than making arrests in public spaces where they may pose a greater risk [1].
Senator Bernie Moreno has called the policy an “abuse of power”, arguing that it hinders national immigration enforcement efforts. Some critics also fear that limiting ICE’s ability to operate at courthouses will force the agency to make more arrests in workplaces or homes, potentially creating greater fear within immigrant communities [3].
What’s Next?
The Franklin County ICE ban only applies to civil arrests, meaning that ICE can still detain individuals with active criminal warrants. However, legal experts suggest that this ruling could face legal challenges, as federal immigration officials may argue that it obstructs ICE’s ability to enforce the law [6].
For now, Franklin County joins a growing number of jurisdictions that have imposed restrictions on ICE operations within courthouses, adding fuel to the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement and due process rights.
