Smith Condemns Anti-Immigrant Bill

Today, state Senator Kent Smith (D-Euclid) criticized the Ohio Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 172, a bill that threatens the due process rights of immigrants living in Ohio.

“This bill is a needless attack on individual liberties,” said Smith. “This bill is not about the rule of law. It is about creating an environment of fear and justifying the detention of Ohioans on suspicion alone. We should be protecting the immigrant communities that enrich and strengthen our state’s culture and economy."

Senate Bill 172:

• significantly expands state authority over immigration enforcement by prohibiting any local ordinance, rule, or official action that limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities;
• allows action to be taken against individuals not only for unlawful presence but also based solely on suspicion, without evidence or legal findings;
• applies even in traditionally protected areas such as places of worship, courthouses, schools, and community centers;
• forbids public officials from protecting or shielding undocumented individuals, even in emergencies or humanitarian cases; and
• protects individuals from penalty if they act “in good faith” under the bill, even if their actions conflict with local laws or community policies.

Senate Bill 172 now heads to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration.

Knowing your rights as an immigrant is essential in keeping our immigrant families safe. See resources here.