Columbus Weighs Legislation to Limit ICE Operations

City Council considers measures to restrict federal immigration enforcement activities.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Columbus City Council is considering new legislation that would restrict the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers within the city. Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla and other members are introducing proposals that aim to make Columbus a more welcoming and protective environment for immigrant residents.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation reflects growing tensions between local governments and federal immigration enforcement, as some cities seek to limit ICE's presence and operations in their communities. The measures are part of a broader debate over the role of local authorities in addressing national immigration policies.

The details

The Columbus legislation would place limits on when and where ICE officers can operate within city limits, potentially banning them from making arrests or conducting investigations without prior notification to local law enforcement. The proposals may also prohibit the city from assisting or cooperating with ICE in certain enforcement actions.

  • The Columbus City Council is currently considering the legislation.

The players

Lourdes Barroso de Padilla

A Columbus City Council member who is leading the effort to introduce the legislation restricting ICE activities.

Columbus City Council

The local governing body in Columbus, Ohio that is weighing the proposed legislation to limit the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the city.

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What they’re saying

“I believe deeply that local government has a responsibility to ensure that every person in our community feels safe, respected and protected under the law.”

— Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, Columbus City Council member (The Columbus Dispatch)

What’s next

The Columbus City Council is expected to hold public hearings and debates on the proposed legislation in the coming weeks before potentially voting on the measures.

The takeaway

The debate in Columbus reflects a growing trend of cities and local governments seeking to limit the presence and activities of federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE within their jurisdictions, highlighting the tensions between local and national priorities on immigration policy.