Ohio Democrats Propose Bills to Restrict ICE Agents

Legislation would ban masked officers and prohibit immigration enforcement at schools and hospitals

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Ohio Democrats have introduced a series of bills aimed at curbing federal immigration enforcement in the state. The proposed legislation would ban ICE agents from wearing masks, prohibit immigration raids at sensitive locations like schools and hospitals, and require officers to display identification. The moves come amid growing concerns over aggressive tactics used by immigration authorities.

Why it matters

The proposed bills reflect rising tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement. Ohio Democrats are seeking to limit the ability of ICE to operate in their communities, citing concerns over civil liberties and public safety. However, Republican lawmakers have pushed back, introducing measures to compel local police cooperation with federal immigration agents.

The details

The eight bills outlined by Ohio House Democrats would prohibit local, state and federal law enforcement from wearing face coverings, excluding medical masks, and require them to display identification. Another bill would ban immigration enforcement at certain locations, including schools, hospitals, churches and organizations that help victims of crime or abuse. The legislation was introduced after incidents of alleged excessive force by ICE, including the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis and the detention of a 5-year-old boy with his father.

  • On February 3, 2026, Ohio House Democrats outlined the proposed legislation.
  • Federal authorities had been preparing for a potential ICE surge in Springfield, Ohio, home to 15,000 Haitian immigrants, before a judge blocked the administration's attempt to end their legal status.

The players

Dani Isaacsohn

Ohio House Minority Leader, D-Cincinnati.

Matt Huffman

Ohio House Speaker, R-Lima.

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What they’re saying

“This is a moment we've read about in history books, we thought would never happen in the U.S., when the federal government is coming for our communities. When they are sending masked officers and killing American citizens on video and then telling us we didn't see what our eyes showed us.”

— Dani Isaacsohn, Ohio House Minority Leader (timesreporter.com)

What’s next

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require local police to cooperate with ICE and allow agents to enter hospitals for immigration enforcement, setting up a potential showdown in the state legislature.

The takeaway

The proposed bills in Ohio highlight the ongoing debate over the role of federal immigration enforcement and the balance between national security priorities and local community concerns. As the political battle continues, the outcome could have significant implications for how immigration policies are implemented across the state.