In a statement, OIA ED Lynn Tramonte says “the allegations of sexual abuse carried out by Cesar Chavez are horrific. Farm workers and their families have always been treated with indignity in this country, despite the fact that they literally keep us alive, and businesses in operation. Hearing of abuses committed by one of the movement’s leaders is confusing and devastating.

“But the people who matter here are the survivors, and the fact that they are talking about what happened.”

The Ohio Immigrant Alliance is launching the Brave Of Us Tattoo Design Contest, calling on all tattoo artists and apprentices to express what it looks like to be in solidarity with immigrants at this moment in history. The contest’s themes include Family & Love; Freedom & Safety; Bravery & Strength; Unity Across Differences; and Reclaiming Identity & Culture.

The first organization to join our new sponsorship program at the Ohio Immigrant Hotline is Vibrant Ohio. For the entire month of March, VO is supporting our work to respond to the calls, texts, and emails coming into the Hotline from across Ohio. We are grateful for community partners who recognize that systems like these help keep us safe and protect all of our rights.  

Vibrant Ohio is a statewide organization that enhances local immigrant and refugee integration efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable and prosperous Ohio economy. They believe that immigrants, refugees, and the broader international community all make Ohio a more vibrant place to call home. Vibrant Ohio serves as a trusted connector to Ohio immigrants and refugees, including those in our major cities and a growing number of smaller communities.

Everyone should go see “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” at the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio. What a powerful performance from the entire cast of “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” written by Ohio State graduate Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Shanelle Marie, with a stunning local cast. To make us laugh, cry, and fall in love with the characters is simply an unforgettable experience. Not only is this play culturally and politically relevant to the times we are in, but it teaches us how community can help us through the darkest times we go through in life. This is a must-see. 

Updates from Ohio’s Creative Community; the Hotline; True Public Safety, OIA in the Wild, and More!

The Cincinnati Enquirer published an important story about an Ohio man at risk of detention and deportation (read behind paywall). Nadhirou Tambadou is a hero and leader of a movement to demand human rights for Black Mauritanians, who was finally forced to seek safety in the United States after years of persecution by the Mauritanian government.

The Guardian is reporting that at least six Customs and Border Patrol officers had personal relationships with Jeffrey Epstein, and were involved in facilitating group travel to and from his private island.

The Ohio Immigrant Alliance has been tracking the number of ICE and Border Patrol agents committing sexual and/or violent crimes against women and children. Since we first published the list we have had to update it several times, as more criminal agents continue to get arrested. The total as of February 26, 2026 is 37, with two-thirds of the agents committing sexual offenses against children. This list does not even include the six agents who helped facilitate travel to Epstein’s island, as they have not yet been charged with crimes.

The Ohio Immigrant Hotline is a public good that serves the entire state. That’s why we are inviting organizations, individuals, and businesses to show their support for the Hotline by sponsoring it today. It costs approximately $6,000 for us to run the Hotline for a month, including incident intake and fulfillment. We have three tiers of sponsorship available.

When things feel heavy, Ohio’s creative community shows up.

Over the past few weeks, we at the Ohio Immigrant Alliance (OIA) have been moved by the ways people across the state are stepping up to support immigrants and speak out against ICE. Artists of all kinds are using their crafts to raise money to support our mission. Restaurants are putting their menus to work. And more is on the way. Ohioans are being both creative and brave, using their talents to fund immigrant protection and show support for a fair and humane immigration policy.

Said Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, “Art gives us access to worlds we’ve never seen, and helps us see our world in new ways. Food is another thing we have in common across backgrounds, and a way for people to come together. We are so grateful to the artists, makers, activators, and good people throughout Ohio who are working to make this a better state and donating to our cause. We have no room at our tables for ICE. We only have room for each other.” 

Here's what's happening right now, from DJs, tattoo and textile artists, restaurants, authors, pop-up markets, and more. There’s still time to support their work and make a donation to OIA. If you want to start your own fundraiser, contact us at hotline@ohioimmigrant.org for support.

OIA’s Advocacy Director Demba Babaly Ndiath attended an Iftar the Ohio Statehouse yesterday, hosted by Rep. Munira Abdullahi. He said, "It was a powerful moment of community gathering, reflection, and shared humanity. Hearing the Adhan echo in the people’s house, and praying Maghrib behind Imam Ayman Soliman during this blessed month of Ramadan, brought deep hope to my heart — especially at a time of profound despair and fear within our immigrant communities.”

These are the six core functions of Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s work. This is how we respond to overreaches in federal immigration law enforcement and advocate for a fairer, more dignified immigration system for all.

In an new video, Lynn Tramonte of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance explains how ICE’s tactics for making arrests mimic the behavior of criminals, and the agency has a history of employing violent sexual criminals. The two facts are intrinsically linked.

ICE killed Dr. Linda Davis in Chatham County, Georgia. An immigrant, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, has been charged with the crime, but the simple truth is that immigration agents carried out a reckless law enforcement action that caused Dr. Davis’ death. And it didn’t need to happen. Today, a family, school, and community are mourning the untimely death of someone who “dedicated her career to ensuring that every child felt supported, valued, and capable of success,” according to her school’s principal, Alonna McMullen.

We’re talking about the enforcement of civil laws. Oscar Vasquez Lopez has a deportation order issued by a judge in a civil court. Police chases like the one ICE used to apprehend him are extremely dangerous to the public. That is why local law enforcement have criticized ICE, and are told not to engage in these types of tactics unless public safety calls for it — for example, if a suspect flees a murder scene and remains armed.

OIA’s Executive Director, Lynn Tramonte, testified at a hearing on Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement Proposed Code Changes before the Columbus City Council Rules & Policy Committee today.

Many people around the world are, rightfully, concerned about Haitian-Americans and Springfield. This post from the Ohio Immigrant Alliance addresses unfounded rumors and shares information on how you can get involved in your local community.

Said Sophia Pierrelus, founder of the New American Cultural Center (NACC) and a Columbus-based leader, “Framing the termination of Haiti’s TPS as a matter of ‘national interest’ ignores the real consequences on families, workers, and communities who have contributed to this country for years. Policy decisions must be grounded not only in authority, but in reality. Ending Haiti’s TPS designation disregards the ongoing humanitarian crisis and places thousands of law-abiding families in immediate uncertainty. It is in our national interest to protect Haitian people who have made Ohio their home.” 

“This is the very definition of stacking the deck against your opponent, and this is why the U.S. immigration courts must be removed from the Executive Branch,” said Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance. “Stephen Miller cannot completely eliminate the Board of Immigration Appeals without action by Congress. Instead, his plan is to keep the Board in place to rule against immigrants who win in the lower courts, while denying people who lose their cases the opportunity for a second look. Courts should be independent from political direction. Our immigration courts need to be completely separated from the Executive Branch. That’s fundamental to fairness and due process. Finally making the immigration courts into an independent judiciary is long overdue. Congress must act, today. Anyone who argues against that simply wants to keep an unfair system in place.”

OIA’s Executive Director, Lynn Tramonte, spoke at the Cleveland City Club’s “Happy Dog Takes on ICE” forum, held at this beloved Cleveland hot dog restaurant and bar on February 4. The crowd was standing-room only. She was joined by immigration lawyer Pat Espinosa and Chris Schmitt, Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, who moderated the discussion.

As Ohio communities face the uncertainty of the future of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, and the threat of an immigration abduction operation, members of the Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) stand in solidarity with Haitian families who call Ohio home, and demand federal immigration agents get out of their communities. 

“Ohio Is Home for All” reads a new, robin's egg blue digital billboard in Akron, featuring faces of people of all races, ages, and ethnicities. According to the Ohio Immigrant Alliance and Elizabeth Zaleski, the billboard’s sponsor, all people who choose to make Ohio their home, raise their families and build good lives here, are welcome in the Buckeye State.