Blackshear Condemns ICE Actions in Minnesota, Urges Accountability

Today, state Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued the following statement in response to ICE killing two civilians in Minnesota and recent reports that ICE may target Springfield next month. 

“The killings in Minnesota are incredibly tragic and ultimately unacceptable,” said Blackshear. “I am calling on the federal government to implement the following reforms related to ICE:

• Independent state and federal investigations into the 2 recent killings in Minnesota;
• Transparency regarding operations, standards, and identification of agents;
• Mitigating the use of force and deadly weapons; and
• Increased overall training and de-escalation training.”

Governor DeWine and state officials have indicated that they are preparing for a potential surge in ICE activity in Springfield following the February 3 expiration of temporary protected status for over 500,000 Haitians across the nation.

“As we prepare for the administration’s agents’ arrival in Springfield, I urge all Ohioans in the Miami Valley and across the state to stay vigilant and come together in community and solidarity with your neighbors," Blackshear continued. "Ensuring oversight of our federal agencies and immigration enforcement officers should not be a partisan issue. We must hold these entities accountable and accept nothing less than full transparency going forward.”