City officials in Ohio would be prohibited from adopting "sanctuary cities" protections for immigrants in the country illegally and held criminally liable for any crimes committed by such immigrants under a proposal headed to Ohio's legislature.
A bill announced Monday would define and outlaw sanctuary jurisdictions and declare sanctuary policies contrary to federal law and state interests.
The term currently lacks definition, but generally refers to cities that instruct police to avoid inquiries about immigration status and decline immigration officials' requests to detain defendants awaiting deportation.
The measure comes as U.S. and Ohio cities, including Cincinnati and Columbus, have enacted certain immigrant protections in the wake of President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration. Cincinnati officials recently declared the town a "sanctuary city," while Columbus officials say they're examining what steps to take.
State Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate, says he'll make the prohibition a priority.
