ICE activity in Columbus prompted concern, confusion, and a swift response from city leaders on Thursday.
Reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents making arrests across Columbus circulated widely on social media this week, with posts describing masked officers detaining people in parking lots, along highways, and near schools. While much of the information shared online has not been independently verified, city officials confirmed that federal immigration agents are operating in Central Ohio and acknowledged the fear the reports have caused in immigrant communities.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Police Chief Elaine Bryant, City Attorney Zach Klein, City Council President Shannon Hardin, and Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla held a press conference Thursday to address the situation.
Their message was consistent. Columbus police are not assisting ICE, the city has not requested federal intervention, and residents should continue to seek help from local authorities when needed.
“We have verified that they are here,” Bryant said of ICE agents. “We don’t have a particular number, but we do know that they are here and they are doing operations.” She stressed that the Columbus Division of Police does not arrest people based solely on immigration status and does not participate in civil immigration enforcement.
City leaders emphasized that Columbus has maintained policies since 2017 that prohibit the use of city resources to assist federal immigration investigations when those actions are based only on a person’s immigration status. Ginther said ICE activity is unnecessary and harmful in a city that data shows is already safe.
“While some may say they’re here to make Columbus safer, the fact is Columbus is already safe,” Ginther said. “We have not asked for and do not need this unwelcome intervention.”
Officials also pushed back on claims that immigration raids improve public safety, arguing instead that fear makes communities less safe. Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla criticized the timing of the activity as families prepare for the holidays, saying it discourages people from leaving their homes or accessing basic services.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein raised concerns about reports of ICE agents wearing plain clothes and masks and not clearly identifying themselves during arrests. He said federal agents should meet the same transparency standards expected of local police, including clear identification and badges.
ICE declined to provide arrest totals or detailed information about where operations are taking place.
In a statement to WOSU, the agency said its officers are arresting what it described as “criminal illegal aliens and immigration violators” as part of ongoing enforcement efforts, but did not respond to questions about reports of arrests near schools.
Immigrant advocacy groups strongly condemned the activity. The Ohio Immigrant Alliance released a statement calling the arrests chaotic and fear-driven. Executive Director Lynn Tramonte said ICE agents were “trolling parking lots and stopping people to demand their paperwork,” which she described as intentionally divisive.
City leaders and advocacy groups encouraged residents to rely on verified information and avoid sharing unconfirmed reports online, which they said can amplify fear. They also urged people to know their rights, carry identification, and seek legal support if needed.
Resources shared by officials include Legal Aid Society of Central Ohio at 1-888-246-4420, Community Refugee and Immigration Services at 614-235-5747, and the Ohio Immigrant Hotline at 419-777-HELP. The Ohio Immigrant Alliance also directs residents to OhioIsHome.org for information about immigration rights and services.
Despite the presence of federal agents, city officials reiterated that emergency services remain available to everyone in Columbus.
“Our mission is public safety for all people in our community,” Bryant said. “That does not change.”
