Columbus Proposes New Protections for Immigrants

City Council members announce legislative package to limit ICE activity on city property

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Columbus City Council is proposing new legislation to protect immigrant residents, including prohibiting ICE agents from detaining people on city property without a judicial warrant, increasing penalties for harassment at schools and daycares, and banning the construction of immigration detention centers within city limits. Council members say they want to do what they can with the power they have to address the "chaotic immigration crackdown" happening across the country.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation is a response to reports of increased immigration enforcement activity in Columbus. While the city does not have authority over federal ICE agents, council members believe they can regulate what happens on city-owned property to provide more safeguards for immigrant residents.

The details

The new legislative package announced by Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans and Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla would prohibit ICE agents from detaining people on city property without a judicial warrant, increase penalties for harassment at schools and daycares, and ban the construction of immigration detention centers within Columbus city limits. Council members say they are still gathering feedback and the legislation could be adjusted before being presented to the full council.

  • The proposed legislation was announced during a public hearing on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Columbus City Council is expected to consider and vote on the proposed legislation in the coming weeks.

The players

Rob Dorans

Columbus City Council President Pro Tem, who announced the new legislative package.

Lourdes Barroso de Padilla

Columbus City Councilmember, who announced the new legislative package.

Angie Plummer

Executive director of Community Refugee and Immigration Services, who said the immigrant community will be watching closely to see how the proposal plays out.

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What they’re saying

“We don't want to overpromise, folks, about the ability to stop what is this chaotic immigration crackdown here in Columbus across the country. But again, I think it behooves us to do what we can do with the power that we do have.”

— Rob Dorans, Columbus City Council President Pro Tem (NBC4i.com)

“I've gotten a couple of emails that have said, 'Do your job.' And I believe that's what we're doing here.”

— Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, Columbus City Councilmember (NBC4i.com)

“It's one thing to have laws on the books, and it's another thing to see how it plays out in reality. So I think there will be a measure of, 'Let's wait and see.'”

— Angie Plummer, Executive Director, Community Refugee and Immigration Services (NBC4i.com)

What’s next

Columbus City Council is expected to consider and vote on the proposed legislation in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation reflects the city's efforts to provide more protections for immigrant residents in the face of increased federal immigration enforcement activity, even though the city does not have direct authority over federal agents. The outcome of the council's vote will be closely watched by the local immigrant community.