ICE is not welcome, immigrants are

Following is a statement from Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, following the second day of mass ICE arrests in Columbus.

The people who live in our communities know what our communities need — not federal agents who don't even live here. Columbus residents kept these unwelcome outsiders up all night, and are organizing food deliveries and holding agents accountable to the law by day. From the grassroots, to city officials, to people of faith, Columbus has made it clear — ICE is not welcome, immigrants are. 

Masked agents roaming our streets and demanding our papers is a hallmark of authoritarianism, not a healthy society. These ICE operations are a gross federal overreach, and clearly an attempt at distraction from the Trump administration. Distraction from the Epstein files, from high food prices and low hourly wages, from corporate bailouts and corporate greed. But Columbus isn't buying it. Immigrants are valued members of Ohio families, and Ohio is home. We are stronger together and we're not going to let politicians divide us. Columbus will keep agitating, protecting, and fortifying until these unwanted agents are forced to leave.

To learn more about organizations leading the work on the ground and how you can get involved, check this landing page for updates. To purchase t-shirts featuring #ICEOutOfColumbus artwork, visit OIA’s online store.