Bill increases penalties for obstructing immigration enforcement

As anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests grow more outlandish by the day, a pair of Ohio lawmakers want to expand the definition of obstruction of justice, specifically eyeing immigration enforcement.

State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., and Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, have introduced House Bill 544, which would add the word “arrest” to the state’s obstruction of justice law. Ohio’s law currently forbids people from hindering the discovery, apprehension, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another for a crime.

“We wanted to make sure that obstruction applied to anyone interfering with the actual arrest of an individual,” Williams told Gongwer/State Affairs. “The way that the law was currently situated there’s been cases where there’s arguments that trying to prevent someone from being arrested is not apprehension. So we wanted to clarify that.

“We want to make sure it’s perfectly clear in Ohio: We’re not going to tolerate that type of conduct,” Williams added. “We’re not going to allow you to interfere and obstruct federal immigration enforcement.”

Like many states, immigration enforcement has become somewhat of a flashpoint in the Buckeye State. At least six local jails have agreed to partner with the feds to help enforce the nation’s immigration laws.

Law enforcement officials in Clermont County could soon be the newest local officials to help enforce federal immigration laws. Clermont County Sheriff’s Office officials announced that its deputies will soon be allowed to arrest people on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Sheriff [Christopher E.] Stratton authorized the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ICE to participate in the federal 287(g) Task Force,” the office said in a Facebook post, WLWT-TV reported.

“This partnership will allow specially trained Clermont County deputies to arrest and transport individuals on ICE warrants,” the office added, per the report. “Our focus remains on transparency, efficiency, and accountability, enforcing the law and delivering value to taxpayers while keeping our community safe.”

The move follows an opinion issued by Attorney General Dave Yost earlier this year, specific to a question from Butler County. In his opinion, Yost concluded that the Butler County Jail and other local jails can detain people who are in the country illegally but have not committed a crime.

The state’s top law enforcement official issued the finding in response to a request from Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Michael T. Gmoser. The county prosecutor wanted to clarify whether a county sheriff or the board of commissioners could legally cooperate with federal immigration authorities to incarcerate people for civil violations of federal immigration law beyond a 48-hour hold.

Immigration advocates and civil liberties groups have similarly criticized the crackdowns.

Ohio has several sanctuary jurisdictions, including Franklin, Hamilton, Lorain and Mahoning counties, though estimates of the precise number vary. Earlier this year, as federal authorities continued their nationwide crackdown on those in the country illegally, some Ohio lawmakers told Ohio.News that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi should investigate Ohio’s sanctuary cities next.