Crowds Rally at Ohio Statehouse Against ICE Raids, Backing Latino Community

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Key Takeaways

• ICE raids in Ohio since January 2025 now include schools, churches, and hospitals under expanded executive orders.
• Immigrants represent 6.1% of Ohio’s labor force, contributing $7.8 billion in taxes and $18.6 billion in spending power.
• Advocacy groups urge legal workshops and unity as future federal and local immigration enforcement actions remain a growing concern statewide.

Hundreds of demonstrators assembled at the Ohio Statehouse 🏛️ in Columbus, Ohio 🇺🇸, on February 8, 2025, in a strong public protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the state. The rally aimed to support Ohio’s Latino community and raise awareness about the impacts of federal immigration policies. This event was organized by a coalition of immigrant rights advocates and community-based groups, drawing people from across Ohio to join the growing call for change.

Federal Immigration Actions Prompt Outcry

Crowds Rally at Ohio Statehouse Against ICE Raids, Backing Latino Community

The protests came on the heels of a series of ICE operations that began in late January 2025. These actions followed executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump, which expanded ICE’s authority to carry out enforcement activities. Notably, the orders allowed ICE to conduct raids in previously protected areas such as schools, churches, and hospitals—places that were previously considered “safe zones.”

According to Josue Vicente, Executive Director of the Ohio Hispanic Coalition, these raids have created widespread fear among the Latino community in central Ohio. Speaking to the crowd gathered at the rally, Vicente shared that the coalition had been overwhelmed with calls from families and friends of individuals arrested in Columbus. He described arrests being carried out in apartment complexes during the early morning hours, tactics reminiscent of previous federal immigration efforts.

Vicente warned that ICE could soon begin targeting additional spaces, such as workplaces like restaurants, to apprehend undocumented immigrants. In direct response to the raids, the Ohio Hispanic Coalition has been holding workshops to educate Ohio’s Latino residents about their legal rights and resources. Providing immigrants with information has become urgent as communities brace for the possibility of increased enforcement.

Economic and Emotional Impact on Communities

The rally also heard remarks from Alfonso Cornejo, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati USA. Cornejo emphasized the economic roles played by immigrants in Ohio. As he explained, immigrants contribute across sectors, from entrepreneurship to education and healthcare. Citing data from the American Immigration Council, Cornejo highlighted that immigrants make up 6.1% of Ohio’s labor force and that about 8% of Ohio’s business entrepreneurs are immigrants. He argued that federal actions disrupting this workforce could destabilize not only families but also the state economy.

Cornejo also spoke to the long-term emotional toll these enforcement actions could have on children in immigrant families. He warned that witnessing arrests or deportations in sensitive spaces such as schools or local community centers could leave psychological scars. He advised local business owners to avoid panic and instead consult lawyers for legal advice. He stressed that selling businesses out of fear would only harm their future standing in the state.

Political and Local Government Perspectives

Columbus City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla addressed the rally with a personal appeal. As the daughter of Cuban immigrants, she condemned the divisive rhetoric spreading on social media, including posts that encouraged individuals to report undocumented neighbors to ICE. She pointed out that this behavior could harm even lawful residents, green-card holders, and refugees, simply because of their ethnicity, names, or language. Barroso de Padilla called for unity and fairness in her remarks to the crowd.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also spoke in strong support of maintaining inclusivity within the city, emphasizing that Columbus thrives on the contributions of its immigrant population. Highlighting industries such as healthcare, higher education, and public education, he reaffirmed Columbus’s role as a welcoming city. While no confirmed ICE raids in Columbus had been reported, Ginther noted that other U.S. mayors had raised alarming concerns about escalating enforcement in their cities. As president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Ginther promised to advocate against actions that undermine local immigrant communities.

Though demonstrators demanded the protection of sanctuary policies, local agencies, like the Columbus Division of Police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, faced scrutiny over their interactions with ICE operations. Some noted that contradictions between Trump’s federal executive orders and local “sanctuary policies” could increase pressure on these agencies to change how they cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Specific Incidents Fuel Fear

Amid the broader conversations, the rally highlighted recent regional ICE actions. Speakers pointed to the arrest of a man on I-70 in Muskingum County who was charged with harboring undocumented immigrants. In Franklin County, six people were detained on ICE holds in the county jail, although sheriff’s officials clarified that five of the arrests were for unrelated criminal charges. A specific incident involved Adalberto Calixto Tolentino, who was arrested and later charged with immigration-related violations. These cases showcased the heightened visibility of ICE in the area, reinforcing the community’s fears.

Compounding this, rumors of ICE raids ran unchecked on social media, exacerbating fear within immigrant families. Although these rumors were unsubstantiated, their proliferation created widespread unease. The rally’s speakers called on ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to provide transparency and clear information to reduce public confusion and panic.

Grassroots Advocacy and Solidarity

Throughout the event, one consistent theme stood out—the rally was as much about empowerment as it was about protest. Organizers distributed informational pamphlets on immigrants’ rights, advising steps families or individuals could take if confronted by ICE agents. Legal representatives attended the event to offer free consultations to anxious attendees, while speakers assured participants that help would remain available in many forms. This solidarity reflected a widespread desire for communities to band together in defense of their rights.

The Ohio Latino community also used the event to remind others of its economic contributions. For example, Steven Hubbard, a data expert with the American Immigration Council, was cited during the rally. He reported that immigrants in Ohio contribute $7.8 billion in taxes across different levels and wield a spending power of $18.6 billion, underlining their integral role in the state’s economy. These numbers offered a stark reminder of how much Ohio’s immigrant population contributes—and how much might be lost through harsh enforcement measures.

Calls for Change

As the rally wound down, organizers made it clear this protest was just the beginning. Announcements were made for future gatherings, with promises to expand grassroots outreach and legal advocacy services across the state. Participants were urged to remain watchful of new federal and local enforcement actions as immigration policies continue to change. Calls were also made for local law enforcement bodies to refuse cooperation with ICE where legally possible.

The demonstration represented a critical moment for Ohio. Latino activists, local officials, and supporters rallied together to resist federal policies that they felt undermined the trust and safety of their communities. The energy, unity, and shared purpose of the day reflected the high stakes facing immigrants in Ohio amid tightening reforms.

Moving Forward

In the days following the Statehouse protest, community centers reported a surge of volunteers stepping forward to offer their time to immigrant families. Local leaders pledged to stay engaged with advocacy groups and to monitor ICE-related activity closely. This ongoing involvement is critical, as the implications of federal immigration policies remain uncertain.

According to an analysis from VisaVerge.com, Ohio’s experience mirrors a larger national challenge. Tension between federal immigration strategies and local policies is playing out in states across the country. This divide raises questions about how communities should respond to changing federal priorities while respecting their own values of inclusion and support for immigrant populations. Columbus, like many other cities, must navigate these complicated dynamics as the situation evolves.

For accurate and detailed information on ICE procedures and rights during enforcement actions, you can visit the official ICE website at www.ice.gov, which provides guidance for individuals who may interact with immigration officials.

The February 8 rally showed that Ohio’s communities are determined to stand united in the face of adversity. At the Statehouse and beyond, the voices heard that day pushed back against fear and uncertainty, aiming instead to build a more inclusive and informed community.

Learn Today

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A U.S. federal agency enforcing immigration laws, including deportations, detentions, and workplace raids.
Executive Orders → Official directives issued by the U.S. President, often used to manage federal policies or operations.
Sanctuary Policies → Local laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect undocumented immigrants within a jurisdiction.
Undocumented Immigrants → Individuals residing in a country without legal permission or valid immigration status.
Harboring → The act of knowingly providing shelter or assistance to undocumented immigrants, often considered a violation of immigration law.

This Article in a Nutshell

Ohio’s February 8 rally showcased unity against ICE raids, empowering Latino communities amid fear. Advocates spotlighted immigrants’ vital economic, cultural roles while rallying for sanctuary policies. Legal aid, workshops, and solidarity emerged as key defenses. Voices from Ohio reinforced one message: inclusion strengthens communities, and resistance to divisive policies is both urgent and powerful.
— By VisaVerge.com