Advocates for Latino communities in Ohio say Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have begun arresting people in central Ohio.
Ohio Hispanic Coalition Executive Director Josue Vicente said ICE has started arresting people on a smaller scale in the Columbus area, echoing tactics used during past immigration crackdowns. News media in northeast Ohio have already reported raids, including one at a Cleveland Heights taco restaurant.
Vicente said his organization has received calls from family members and close friends of people who have been arrested by ICE in recent days. He said similar tactics used under President Barack Obama's administration are now being used by President Donald Trump's administration in Columbus.
"First thing in the morning where they go to were, for example, apartment complexes and they start arresting them in the parking lot, and then basically not just with a deportment or deportation, but basically profiling individuals who look like Latinos and speak Spanish," Vicente said.
In central Ohio, one confirmed arrest was in Muskingum County on I-70. A man was charged with "bringing in and harboring illegal aliens."
Police followed a man with Arizona license plates from Licking County, according to court records. Police said the man had multiple people in the car with him who he claimed were his friends. When he was asked to name them, he could not.
Vicente said he's heard of ICE being at local grocery stores, like Saraga International Grocery Store on Morse Road, but he said nothing has been confirmed yet. Similar rumors were floated on social media last week.
"We have families call us directly saying 'My family member was arrested yesterday. This location on this apartment complex on the parking lot when they were getting ready to work,'" Vicente said.
Vicente said his organization is trying to help Latino immigrants know their legal rights and access resources. He said fear is spreading as federal deportation efforts begin.
"We fear that this is going to escalate for obviously more violations. It's going to be probably, you know, going to maybe... restaurants or some other places where Latinos are. Who knows?" Vicente said.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther's office said the mayor and the Columbus Division of Police met with around 60 faith leaders in the city from various denominations. The meeting was to reassure residents of the city's commitment to the safety of all who call Columbus home and to explain the city’s key policies.
In an email, Ginther's office said CPD walked through its policy that sworn personnel will not arrest or detain people based solely on immigration status or for ICE unless a warrant exists or a criminal violation was observed.
Ginther and Columbus City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla said the change in presidential administrations didn't change Ginther’s values, or Columbus’ values.
The meeting with faith and community leaders comes as Trump's executive orders on immigration take effect. This includes an order allowing ICE to conduct raids on schools, hospitals and churches in the U.S.
Vicente said he had not heard of ICE raiding any schools, hospitals or churches in Ohio yet.
Vicente said that besides providing aid and resources, his organization is telling people that citizens who voted for Donald Trump nationwide voted for this to happen. He said this is why organizations like his need to work with local government on this issue instead.
"We have a lot of Latinos actually elected to choose because they were saying that the economy was going to get better during this administration. But this is the consequences of that," Vicente said.
