A masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent knocks on a car window in Minnesota, January 12, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
Democrats in the Ohio House of Representatives are introducing a number of bills related to immigration and customs enforcement – including one that would prohibit ICE officers from wearing face coverings and another that would not allow immigration enforcement in schools and churches.
Ohio Republicans have a majority in the Statehouse but a minority in the Ohio House of Representatives Leader Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, he said these are not partisan issues.
“We are talking about basic constitutional rights,” he said. “These are freedoms that we all enjoy as Americans.”
Ohio Reps. Karen Brownlee, D-Symmes Twp., and Cecil Thomas, D-Cincinnati, are introducing legislation that would not allow federal, state and local law enforcement to wear face coverings and would require them to prominently display their badge and ID.
“The goal is simple: face coverings should not be worn to avoid public accountability for faulty, inappropriate or illegal police tactics,” Brownlee said.
She added that law enforcement officers withholding ID makes people feel less sheltered.
“Imagine an unmarked, unidentifiable SUV pulls up next to you, and a few seconds later you are surrounded by multiple people wearing masks without IDs telling you that you are about to be stopped,” Brownlee said. “They grab you and throw you into unmarked vehicles.”
State Representative Allison Russo of Upper Arlington County is introducing a bill that would impose restrictions on data collection and sharing by state entities.
“When a government collects data about its citizens, that data should be shared only as necessary to administer a government program or service,” she said. “However, across the country we see growing concerns about the impact of mishandling citizens’ data and the impact it may have on our communities.”
There were reports that federal agents, including ICE, gained access to citizens’ private data.
“This must stop, and we as Ohio lawmakers have a responsibility to demand it stop and protect citizens’ privacy,” Russo said.
Her bill would not allow state entities to collect, share or disclose information related to someone’s citizenship or immigration status, except when required by law.
“Personal information or data may not be disclosed without the individual’s informed consent, a warrant, court order or subpoena signed by an Ohio or federal judge, or unless federal and state law provides otherwise,” Russo said.
State Reps. Christine Cockley, D-Columbus, and Tristan Rader, D-Lakewood, are introducing a bill that would prohibit agencies, officials and data brokers from selling or distributing sensitive personal information unless it is used for an authorized purpose.
“ICE works with data brokers and technology companies to gain access to our personal data,” Cockley said. “Even interacting with a weather app generates location data that can then be sold to agencies like ICE for further tracking and monitoring. These companies profit by selling the collected data on Ohioans.”
The bill defines sensitive data as, but not narrow to, a person’s name, date of birth, Social Security number, telephone number and immigration status.
State Reps. Ismail Mohamed, D-Columbus, and Eric Synenberg, D-Beachwood, are introducing a bill that would ban immigration enforcement in schools, places of worship, hospitals and courthouses.
“Every Ohioan deserves the right to feel safe in their school and place of worship,” Mohamed said.
The Trump administration last year repealed the political directive which banned ICE from operating in “sensitive areas” such as schools, places of worship and hospitals.
“We will not tolerate this fear… especially in our most sacred and important places for the good of the community,” Mohamed said.
State Reps. Mark Sigrist, D-Grove City, and Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, plan to introduce a resolution affirming the right of local law enforcement to investigate crimes occurring in Ohio.
“This will confirm that local law enforcement participation in these investigations is beneficial to public trust, government transparency and public safety,” Sigrist said. “Ohio has the right to investigate crimes committed in our state.”
State Reps. Ashley Bryant Bailey, D-Cincinnati, and Veronica Sims, D-Akron, are introducing a bill that would create minimum standards for immigration detention centers in Ohio. This includes providing three heated meals a day, a bed, blankets, weather-appropriate clothing, time to participate in religious activities, and medical and mental health services.
“Our system is based on the assumption that we are innocent until proven guilty,” Bryant Bailey said. “This bill would affirm a prisoner or detainees’ right to fair treatment and alleviate poor conditions in our current facilities.”
There are six correctional facilities in Ohio that contract with ICE to hold detainees: Butler County Jail in Hamilton, Seneca County Jail in Tiffin, Geauga County Security Center in Chardon, Northwest Ohio Correctional Center in Stryker, Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, and Mahoning County Justice Center in Youngstown.
Were 1,069 people in the Butler County Jail from Wednesday. The Butler County Jail’s overall capacity is 844, even though the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections recommends a figure of 756, according to data July ODRC inspection report.
State Rep. Latyna Humphrey, R-Columbus, introduces a resolution affirming lawmakers’ right to enter Ohio immigration detention centers whenever.
“It is our moral and ethical obligation as elected officials to ensure the humane nature of our detention facilities,” Humphrey said.
State Reps. Erika White, D-Springfield Township, and Anita Somani, D-Dublin, have introduced a bill that would require the governor’s approval before National Guard troops are stationed in Ohio.
“This bill affirms the Governor’s right to deny the President’s request to deploy the Ohio National Guard under Title 32 for law enforcement purposes,” White said.
The bills will be introduced in the coming weeks and will be given bill numbers.
Follow the OCJ reporter Megan Henry on X
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