Activists Pressure Franklin County Judges to Stop ICE Arrests at Courthouse

Hundreds of emails sent to 15 municipal court judges urging them to restrict federal immigration enforcement officers' access.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Activists in Franklin County, Ohio are pressuring the 15 judges of the Franklin County Municipal Court to adopt rules that would prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from making arrests inside the courthouse. The email campaign, started by the Asian American Midwest Progressives Ohio group, comes after a recent incident where a 25-year-old Hispanic man was detained by federal officers while attending an arraignment on misdemeanor traffic charges.

Why it matters

The activists argue that people should be able to seek justice in the courts without fear of being detained by immigration authorities. This issue highlights the ongoing tensions between local jurisdictions and federal immigration enforcement, as well as debates around courthouse access and the role of the judiciary in protecting vulnerable populations.

The details

Hundreds of people have sent nearly 6,400 emails in recent days to the 15 Franklin County Municipal Court judges, urging them to restrict federal immigration officers' access to the courthouse. The email campaign was started by the Asian American Midwest Progressives Ohio group, which points out that the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, just across the street, has already adopted rules to prevent most ICE arrests in that courthouse. Municipal Court judges have multiple meetings coming up to discuss possible changes to the local courthouse rules.

  • On Feb. 4, federal officers detained a 25-year-old Hispanic man inside the Franklin County Municipal Courthouse during an arraignment on misdemeanor traffic charges.
  • In February 2025, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas adopted rules to prevent most ICE arrests in that courthouse.

The players

Asian American Midwest Progressives Ohio

A progressive nonprofit group that started the email campaign urging Franklin County Municipal Court judges to restrict federal immigration officers' access to the courthouse.

Franklin County Municipal Court

The local court where federal immigration arrests have occurred, and whose judges are now facing pressure to adopt rules to prevent such arrests.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas

The county court located across the street from the municipal court, which has already adopted rules to prevent most ICE arrests in its courthouse.

Jessica D'Varga

The administrative judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court, who says the judges are in constant contact about possible changes to the courthouse rules.

Ajmeri Hoque

A newly appointed judge on the Franklin County Municipal Court, who is the first naturalized citizen and first Muslim judge in Ohio. She says the judges are actively discussing the local courthouse rules.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody has a basic human right to seek justice without the fear of being kidnapped by federal ICE agents.”

— Sharon Kim, Lead organizer, AMMP Ohio (dispatch.com)

“As a first-generation American and a naturalized citizen, I am glad to see the community care deeply for justice for everyone. As a member of the judiciary, I am committed to ensuring fair access to court and the safety of all court participants.”

— Ajmeri Hoque, Judge, Franklin County Municipal Court (Facebook)

What’s next

The Franklin County Municipal Court judges are scheduled to have multiple meetings in the coming weeks to discuss possible changes to the local courthouse rules regarding federal immigration enforcement access.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local jurisdictions and federal immigration enforcement, as well as the role of the judiciary in balancing public safety, access to justice, and the rights of vulnerable populations. The outcome of the judges' discussions could set an important precedent for other courthouses facing similar challenges.