1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I urge you to reconsider the proposed “cooperation package.” Policies that mandate local municipalities to work with federal immigration enforcement will not make our communities safer. Measures like this create fear among families who are already part of our communities. When people are afraid that interacting with local institutions could lead to immigration consequences, they avoid essential services. Students may hesitate to pursue an education, and families may delay or avoid seeking medical care. For hospitals and health care providers, this creates serious ethical and operational challenges. Medical professionals are committed to treating patients based on need, not immigration status. If patients fear being reported or exposed, many will simply stop seeking care until emergencies arise. This disrupts hospitals, undermines public health, and places health care providers in an impossible ethical position. Policies that push people away from schools and health care do not strengthen communities. I urge you to reject legislation that would create fear and prevent people from accessing essential services.