Medina Council Members Respond to Proposed ICE Resolution

City council did not take official action, but some members shared their perspectives on the issue.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:23pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty city council chamber, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting deep shadows across the room, conveying a sense of civic contemplation and debate.The Medina City Council chamber reflects the thoughtful deliberation over immigration enforcement policies that has divided many local communities.Medina Today

While Medina, Ohio city council did not take any official action regarding immigration laws or possible cooperation with ICE, some members of the council shared their perspectives on a proposed resolution during a recent meeting. The resolution opposed several pending state bills related to immigration enforcement. Some council members expressed concerns about ICE's accountability and the importance of treating all people with respect, while others called for looking at the facts rather than just social media chatter.

Why it matters

The proposed resolution and council members' comments reflect the ongoing debate around immigration enforcement and the role of local governments. This issue has become increasingly contentious, with some communities seeking to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities while others support stronger enforcement.

The details

The proposed draft resolution circulated by some Medina residents opposed four different pending state bills, including ones that would require state and local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration agencies, allow law enforcement to enter hospitals for immigration enforcement, and prohibit sanctuary policies. Multiple people spoke at recent council meetings, with some in favor of the bills and others against them. Before the public comment portion of the March 23 meeting, Council President John Coyne said no action would be taken on the proposed resolution during that meeting.

  • The proposed resolution was discussed at the March 23, 2026 city council meeting.
  • The issue was also discussed at the March 9, 2026 city council meeting.

The players

John Coyne

Medina City Council President.

Ed Isabella

Medina City Councilor.

Regi Haire

Medina City Councilor.

Bill Lamb

Medina City Councilor.

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What they’re saying

“The version of ICE I have seen in other cities is not a version I want to see in this town. It seems to me they are not being held particularly accountable and here in Medina we have a phenomenal police department. I guess I want to see ICE clean its own house before I want to see them here in Medina.”

— Ed Isabella, Medina City Councilor

“I take this topic very seriously, but I have some questions that I need answered and I need to look at some legal guidance. But I think it is important that we look at the facts and not just dumb stuff we read on social media. We need to treat other people the way we want to be treated.”

— Regi Haire, Medina City Councilor

“We need to work together as people and not discriminate. We need to recognize we are all here together.”

— Bill Lamb, Medina City Councilor

What’s next

The Medina City Council did not take any official action on the proposed resolution during the March 23 meeting, but it's unclear if the issue will be revisited at a future council meeting.

The takeaway

The debate over immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in cooperating with federal authorities continues to be a divisive issue in many communities. The Medina City Council's discussion highlights the need for thoughtful consideration of the facts and a focus on bringing the community together, rather than allowing divisions to deepen.