1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect Ohio's immigrant communities from the escalating federal immigration enforcement operations currently targeting states across the country. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows recently suspended the issuance of undercover license plates to US Border Patrol agents after reports emerged that Maine would be next on the target list following operations in Minneapolis. This decisive action demonstrates how state officials can use their authority to prevent federal overreach. ICE and Border Patrol operations during this administration have relied heavily on masked agents using unmarked vehicles to conduct operations at work sites, bus stops, retail locations, and residential neighborhoods. Secretary Bellows characterized these tactics as "kidnapping, not law enforcement" and stated that "ICE's lawless tactics are not welcome in Maine." The ACLU of Maine condemned ICE's "brutal, unlawful, and unprecedented assault on communities across the country," noting that "ICE's reckless actions and lack of accountability are making all people less safe and threatening our basic constitutional rights." Ohio has the authority to take similar protective measures. You can suspend the issuance of undercover license plates to federal immigration agents, restrict state and local law enforcement cooperation with ICE operations, and ensure that Ohio resources are not used to facilitate these enforcement actions. Large protests in Portland, Maine over the weekend demonstrate the public opposition to these tactics, with organizers making clear that ICE agents are not welcome in their communities. I urge you to follow Maine's example and take concrete steps to protect Ohio's immigrant neighbors from these aggressive enforcement operations. Our communities are safer when all residents can live without fear of harassment and unlawful detention. Please act now to ensure Ohio does not become the next target of these operations.