Gratis Police Chief Tonina Lamanna Faces Backlash for Visiting Cincinnati Schools to Question Immigrant Students

Lamanna, who has a history of misconduct allegations, traveled 50 miles outside her jurisdiction to conduct 'welfare checks' on behalf of ICE.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:50pm

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A photorealistic painting of a lone police car parked outside a school building, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and unease.A police chief's unauthorized immigration checks at local schools expose the tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.Today in Dayton

Tonina Lamanna, the police chief of the small town of Gratis, Ohio, traveled to Cincinnati public schools and began asking questions about immigrant students, claiming she was doing work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident sparked outrage in the school district, with a board member calling Lamanna 'a puppet of ICE.' Lamanna's past includes being fired from the Dayton Police Department in 2017 on accusations of untruthfulness and filing false documents, as well as a gender discrimination lawsuit that she lost.

Why it matters

The incident raises concerns about the boundaries of local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities, especially when it comes to targeting vulnerable student populations. It also highlights Lamanna's troubled history and questions whether she is the right person to lead the Gratis Police Department.

The details

According to the school district's lawyer, Lamanna visited three Cincinnati public schools around lunchtime on April 15, asking questions about immigrant students. After being turned away, Lamanna later told the district's lawyer that she was doing work for ICE. ICE confirmed that local law enforcement partners were conducting 'welfare checks' on children who arrived in the country unaccompanied during the Biden administration.

  • On April 15, 2026, Lamanna visited three Cincinnati public schools around lunchtime.
  • In August 2024, Lamanna became the police chief of Gratis, Ohio.

The players

Tonina Lamanna

The police chief of Gratis, Ohio, who has a history of misconduct allegations, including being fired from the Dayton Police Department in 2017 and losing a gender discrimination lawsuit.

Dan Hoying

The general counsel for the Cincinnati public school district.

Vicki Blankenship

A councilwoman in Gratis, Ohio, who expressed trust in Lamanna's actions.

Richard K. Jones

The Butler County Sheriff, who said Lamanna should have stayed within her own jurisdiction.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that Lamanna claimed she was doing work for when visiting the Cincinnati schools.

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What they’re saying

“She never should have done it. She never should have gone out of her jurisdiction and surely shouldn't have gone to Hamilton County or the city.”

— Richard K. Jones, Butler County Sheriff

“She's doing all the right things.”

— Vicki Blankenship, Gratis Councilwoman

What’s next

The Cincinnati school district is considering legal action against Lamanna and the Gratis Police Department for the unauthorized visit and questioning of students.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement, federal immigration authorities, and the protection of vulnerable student populations. It also raises questions about Lamanna's suitability to lead the Gratis Police Department given her troubled past.