Cincinnati City Council Addresses Trump Immigration Policy

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Key Takeaways

Cincinnati leaders propose motions to improve immigrant support, including multilingual resources, hate crime reporting, and workplace representation initiatives.
Trump’s immigration policies instill fear in Cincinnati’s immigrant community, affecting families, businesses, and mental health amidst nationwide enforcement actions.
Local organizations and officials prioritize trust-building and assistance as Cincinnati navigates sanctuary city tensions with federal enforcement policies.

Fear is spreading across Cincinnati’s immigrant community as former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies take hold once again. Many feel uncertain about their future in the city they call home. In response, the Cincinnati City Council is stepping forward to examine how the city can strengthen support for its immigrant population. Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney has introduced motions aimed at addressing immediate concerns and building a more inclusive system for the city’s immigrant residents.

Addressing the Need for Action

Cincinnati City Council Addresses Trump Immigration Policy

On January 28, 2025, Vice Mayor Kearney highlighted the city’s responsibilities by presenting two key motions during a City Council meeting. Both motions seek comprehensive reports that evaluate how Cincinnati can better support immigrants living and working in the community. The first motion proposes four specific ideas to make resources more accessible to local immigrant families, many of whom remain deeply worried about the risks posed by immigration enforcement efforts.

The proposed actions include creating a “Know Your Rights” section in English and Spanish on the city’s official website, detailing important information that immigrant families need to protect themselves. Another addition would be a direct website link to Compass and similar organizations that offer assistance to immigrant communities. The motion also includes plans to establish a Hispanic Employee Resource Group, which would focus on increasing Hispanic representation at the city-government level and address workplace concerns. Finally, Vice Mayor Kearney has called for anti-bullying programs in schools to be publicized on the city’s website, along with clear procedures for reporting hate crimes.

The second motion concentrates specifically on hate crimes—requesting a full report on mechanisms available for reporting incidents, access to data collected about hate crimes, and whether there is a hotline in place for immediate assistance. Kearney has asked for this report to be delivered to city leaders within 60 days, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. Both motions are set to be discussed during a City Council Healthy Neighborhoods Committee meeting on February 4, 2025, though the agenda has not yet been finalized.

Impacts of Federal Immigration Policies

The renewed enforcement measures under Trump’s immigration policies are affecting not just Cincinnati but the entire country. Nationwide raids conducted by federal agencies have led to over 2,000 arrests in just eight days since Trump’s return to office on January 20, 2025. While no incidents of local raids have been reported in Cincinnati, fears within the immigrant population remain at an all-time high.

Alfonso Cornejo, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati USA, says these policies are creating distress not only for families but for businesses as well. Speaking to WVXU, Cornejo remarked, “People are concerned. Families are concerned. Business owners are concerned.” He added that many live with the constant anxiety brought on by negative news about immigration crackdowns. Such an atmosphere, Cornejo warns, has far-reaching impacts on mental health, especially for the children who may witness enforcement actions in places like schools, churches, or public events. Local organizations like Heartfelt Tidbits, which assists immigrants and refugees, report that their workload has increased as more families seek help amid the heightened tensions.

Cincinnati’s immigrant population may represent a smaller percentage of Ohio residents—making up just 4.2% of the state’s population—but their contributions are essential to Ohio’s economy. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants in Ohio contribute $7.8 billion in taxes each year and generate $18.6 billion in spending power. Data from Steven Hubbard, an analyst with the council, also shows that immigrants make up 6.1% of the state’s labor force. Of the immigrant population, around 8% are entrepreneurs, many of whom employ local workers or invest in growing businesses across Ohio.

Defining Cincinnati’s Role as a Sanctuary City

Despite these contributions, uncertainty within Cincinnati’s immigrant community persists, especially regarding the city’s sanctuary city policies. A sanctuary city, simply put, is one that limits its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies to protect residents who may not have legal immigration status. Cincinnati’s sanctuary city designation was formally established in 2017 when the City Council passed a resolution to create a “welcoming and inclusive city for all immigrants to live, work or visit.”

Vice Mayor Kearney reaffirmed the city’s position, emphasizing that its sanctuary status alone is not enough to protect some of its most vulnerable residents. She stated, “Cincinnati is a sanctuary city, yet members of our immigrant communities are living in fear of leaving their homes, taking their children to school, and attending their places of worship.” Her motions reflect an urgent effort to address gaps in the city’s existing protections while making necessary resources more visible and accessible.

However, balancing Cincinnati’s sanctuary city stance with federal law complicates matters. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge clarified her department’s stance on immigration enforcement, noting that officers are not tasked with pursuing immigration violations. “We are not the immigration police,” she said, explaining that the department’s role is confined to cases where individuals with criminal warrants are involved. Similarly, Mayor Aftab Pureval highlighted the city’s support for immigrant families, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust between police officers and the community.

Not all city officials agree with this approach. The Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) voiced concerns about the policies laid out by Mayor Pureval and Chief Theetge. In a public statement, FOP President Ken Kober criticized these policies, saying they force law enforcement officers to neglect their responsibility to uphold the Constitution by not fully cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Such disagreements reflect the challenge of mediating federal immigration mandates and local priorities.

Supporting Families on the Ground

Local organizations are doing their part to alleviate the fears of immigrant families. Heartfelt Tidbits, led by Executive Director Sheryl Rajbhandari, serves as a lifeline for many immigrants in Southwestern Ohio, offering services from legal advice to housing assistance. Rajbhandari stressed the value of providing operational support to nonprofits like hers, urging Cincinnati’s leaders to explore practical ways to strengthen these grassroots initiatives. She has observed an uptick in calls for help, further highlighting the stress these policies are putting on families.

Vice Mayor Kearney acknowledged these efforts, noting that Cincinnati has various funding streams for human services organizations. She referenced the Boots on the Ground Fund as an example of potential financial support but recognized that more needs to be done to ensure immigrant families know where to seek help.

Officer Anthony Johnson of the Cincinnati Police Department serves as the department’s immigrant liaison officer, playing a key role by building trust and providing guidance for immigrant communities. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey also stressed the importance of clear communication between law enforcement and immigrant residents. Her office ensures that anyone in need can reach out without fear of questions about their immigration status. These measures aim to reassure residents, even as federal immigration crackdowns create an atmosphere where trust is difficult to maintain.

Looking Ahead

In the coming weeks, Cincinnati’s Healthy Neighborhoods Committee will begin addressing the motions filed by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. Their discussions will help determine whether the city can establish the proposed resources like multilingual “Know Your Rights” programs and hate crime reporting systems. As reported by VisaVerge.com, cities faced with federal enforcement policies often struggle to find a balance between compliance and protecting their vulnerable communities. Cincinnati stands at this crossroads as it evaluates next steps for immigrant support.

While the long-term political and social impacts of Trump’s immigration policies remain uncertain, Cincinnati is focusing on building solutions that foster trust, security, and empowerment for its immigrant population. For now, city leaders and organizations continue working to inform and assist families navigating this challenging landscape. Those impacted can explore helpful resources through the city’s website or consult non-profits like Heartfelt Tidbits for additional guidance. To learn more about hate crime reporting or supporting immigrant rights, visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s hate crimes page at justice.gov/hatecrimes.

Fear and confusion are taking hold of Cincinnati’s immigrant community as new federal immigration policies under President Trump spark uncertainty. Cincinnati City Council is moving to address the concerns, with two motions requesting reports on existing support systems and additional resources for immigrants.

Why it matters:

Immigrants in Cincinnati are afraid to leave their homes or take their children to school as communities brace for potential enforcement actions. Advocates worry about the economic and mental health impacts of these policies.

The big picture:

Nationwide enforcement raids have led to over 2,000 arrests since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Cincinnati leaders stress the city’s role as a sanctuary city while navigating federal regulations.
Local businesses and families are reporting increased anxiety amid fears of enforcement actions.

By the numbers:

Hispanics make up 4.2% of Ohio’s population, but immigrants account for 6.1% of the state’s labor force.
Immigrants collectively pay $7.8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in Ohio each year.
They wield a spending power of $18.6 billion, demonstrating their significant economic contributions.

What they’re saying:

Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney: “Cincinnati is a sanctuary city, yet members of our immigrant communities are living in fear of leaving their homes, taking their children to school, and attending their places of worship.”
Alfonso Cornejo, Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati USA: “Families, business owners, the entire population is concerned. Constant negative news is taking a toll on our community.”
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge: “The CPD does not enforce immigration status but will assist in cases involving criminal warrants, such as for murder or rape.”

State of play:

Kearney’s motions propose:
- Creating “Know Your Rights” references in multiple languages.
- Adding links to resources on the city’s website.
- Establishing a Hispanic Employee Resource Group.
- Providing anti-bullying and hate crime reporting resources.
The motions were sent to the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee, with feedback expected in 60-90 days.

Yes, but:

Some local officials and organizations express frustration:
– Ken Kober, President of the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police, argued that limiting local law enforcement’s involvement in federal immigration efforts could violate officers’ duty to uphold the Constitution.
– Nonprofits like Heartfelt Tidbits are overburdened, calling on the city for increased financial and operational support.

Between the lines:

In 2017, Cincinnati declared itself a sanctuary city, but the scope of federal enforcement under Trump is testing that commitment. Immigrant families are caught between these policies and city leaders trying to strike a balance.

The bottom line:

Trump’s immigration crackdowns are intensifying fear in Cincinnati’s immigrant community. While the city has long advocated for inclusivity, officials must now act swiftly to clarify protections, expand resources, and address rising anxiety levels.

Learn Today

Sanctuary City: A city that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect residents without legal immigration status.
Immigration Enforcement: Government actions aimed at upholding immigration laws, including raids, arrests, and deportations of individuals violating immigration rules.
Know Your Rights: Educational resources informing individuals of legal protections and actions they can take, often related to immigration or law enforcement.
Hate Crimes: Criminal acts motivated by bias against a person or group based on race, religion, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics.
Immigrant Liaison Officer: A law enforcement role focused on fostering trust and communication between police and immigrant communities.

This Article in a Nutshell

Cincinnati’s immigrant community faces rising fear as Trump-era immigration policies resurface. Vice Mayor Kearney proposes bold actions: multilingual “Know Your Rights” resources, anti-bullying programs, and improved hate crime reporting. As federal enforcement intensifies, city leaders and nonprofits collaborate to protect vulnerable families, fostering inclusion while balancing sanctuary ideals with compliance challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com