Richmond Heights City Council Opposes Proposed State Immigration Bills

Council passes resolution against Ohio legislation that would require local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Richmond Heights City Council has unanimously passed a resolution opposing four proposed Ohio state bills related to immigration enforcement. The resolution states that the proposed legislation would force local governments, schools, hospitals, and police to act as federal immigration enforcers, even when it violates established law. The council believes this would undermine public safety, diminish community trust, and threaten critical local funding.

Why it matters

The proposed state bills are seen as an attempt to intimidate local governments into compliance with federal immigration enforcement, even if it violates constitutional protections. The resolution highlights the tension between federal, state, and local authorities over immigration policy and the role municipalities should play in assisting with immigration enforcement.

The details

The four proposed Ohio bills that the resolution opposes are: HB 26, which would require local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE detainer requests; HB 42, which would require state and local agencies to collect and report information on the citizenship and immigration status of those they interact with, including students; HB 281, which would require hospitals to allow ICE agents to enter and enforce immigration law; and SB 172, which would allow the arrest or detention of anyone suspected of being unlawfully in the U.S. The resolution states these bills violate the U.S. Constitution and Ohio's Home Rule provisions.

  • The Richmond Heights City Council passed the resolution on February 10, 2026.

The players

Richmond Heights City Council

The governing body of the city of Richmond Heights, Ohio that unanimously passed the resolution opposing the proposed state immigration bills.

Mayor Kim Thomas

The mayor of Richmond Heights who introduced the resolution to the city council.

Police Chief Calvin Williams

The police chief of Richmond Heights who spoke to the city council about the proposed bills and stated the police department would not assist with federal immigration raids or arrests without proper warrants.

Todd Hunt

The law director for the city of Richmond Heights who stated the proposed state bills violate the U.S. Constitution and Ohio's Home Rule provisions.

Ohio State Representatives Josh Williams and Tex Fischer

The Republican state representatives who sponsored HB 26 and HB 42, two of the proposed bills opposed by the Richmond Heights resolution.

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What they’re saying

“As Mayor and safety director, my priority is protecting everyone in Richmond Heights. These proposed state Bills would force local governments, schools, hospitals and police to act as federal immigration enforcers, even when it violates established law. That undermines public safety, diminishes community trust, and threatens critical local funding.”

— Mayor Kim Thomas (cleveland.com)

“As a police officer of 40 years, I took an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States, (Constitution of the) State of Ohio, and the laws and ordinances and the charter of now (he served previously in the city of Cleveland), the city of Richmond Heights, and we take that oath seriously. So, arrests without warrant, not having basic, reasonable suspicion, let alone the legal status of probable cause to make an arrest in a person's home -- which you need a search warrant or an arrest warrant -- those are things that are a violation of the Constitution that we, as law enforcement, cannot do.”

— Police Chief Calvin Williams (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Richmond Heights City Council will continue to monitor the progress of the proposed state immigration bills and take further action as needed to protect the rights and safety of the city's residents.

The takeaway

This resolution highlights the ongoing tensions between federal, state, and local authorities over immigration enforcement policies, and Richmond Heights' commitment to upholding constitutional protections and maintaining public trust and safety within their community.