Cincinnati City Council Passes Immigration Enforcement Restrictions, With Lone Holdout

Councilmember Scotty Johnson raises concerns about impact on federal partnerships

Feb. 26, 2026 at 4:21am

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Cincinnati City Council passed three motions related to immigration enforcement on Wednesday. Eight councilmembers supported the measures, which aim to limit federal immigration agencies' access to city-owned property and data. However, Councilmember Scotty Johnson was the lone holdout, voicing concerns that the new restrictions could jeopardize the city's relationships with federal partners like the FBI and ATF that help keep Cincinnati safe.

Why it matters

The debate over immigration enforcement has become a contentious issue in many U.S. cities. Cincinnati's new restrictions reflect a growing trend of local governments seeking to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, driven by concerns about the impact on immigrant communities. However, some officials like Councilmember Johnson worry these measures could undermine important public safety partnerships.

The details

The three motions passed by Cincinnati City Council include: 1) Examining if the city ever asks about immigration status, 2) Prohibiting real-time sharing of city surveillance data with federal immigration agencies without a court order, and 3) Blocking federal immigration operations on city-owned property. Councilmember Johnson argued these steps could hurt the city's relationships with federal partners like the FBI and ATF that provide valuable assistance. Supporters say the measures are necessary to address fears in immigrant communities, citing examples like a student who was detained by immigration authorities shortly after graduating.

  • The motions were passed by Cincinnati City Council on February 26, 2026.

The players

Scotty Johnson

A Cincinnati City Councilmember who was the lone holdout, voicing concerns that the new immigration enforcement restrictions could jeopardize the city's relationships with valuable federal partners.

Sean Gardner

A board member of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, who says the fear of immigration enforcement has led some parents to keep their children home from school.

Emerson Colindres

A student who had just graduated when he was detained by immigration authorities, according to the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers board member.

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What they’re saying

“We have parents who are keeping their kids at home because they're worried about being picked up on the way to school, and that kind of fear is is not just in our country. We have lost a student, Emerson Colindres, who had just graduated a couple of weeks before he was detained.”

— Sean Gardner, Board member, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers

“I do get the emotion, I get the heart. I get all of that. But we have to be very careful.”

— Scotty Johnson, Cincinnati City Councilmember

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.