Top Democrats in Columbus, Ohio, Warn Illegal Aliens That ICE Is in Town

The far-left Democrats who run Columbus, Ohio, are attempting to protect illegal aliens from arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mayor Andrew Ginther and homosexual council President Shannon Hardin warned city dwellers, including the illegals, that ICE is on the prowl in the city, where almost 20 percent of residents are foreign-born.

The pair of subversives sounded the anti-ICE alarm bells likely because the agency recently arrested a number of illegal-alien thugs and goons — the worst of the worst.

That, apparently, might “scare” the “law-abiding” illegal aliens.

Ginther Video

Last week, The Columbus Dispatch reported, Ginther and city officials spoke at the usual news conference to prattle about diversity and “who we are”:

“While some (agents) say they’re here to keep us safe, the fact is we’re already safe,” Ginther said as he rattled off several statistics highlighting a decrease in homicides, shootings, felonious assaults and burglaries.

“These statistics are important because it shows our city is the safest it’s been in years,” Ginther said. He also said immigration enforcement could “undermine the hard-earned trust” the city and police have been working to rebuild. …

Ginther pleaded with concerned citizens who are sharing reports, photos and videos of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations to make sure they are sharing accurate information. Unverified photos and videos can lead to increased anxiety and confusion, he said. “Our city will not be a vehicle for fear,” Ginther said.

Maybe, but Ginther’s roseate view of the city’s crime rate ignores data that show Columbus is substantially more dangerous that Ohio as a whole, and also more dangerous than the United States.

A few days ago, Ginther posted a video message to X.

“We can’t prevent federal agents from being here, but as a city, we don’t discriminate against any of our residents based on immigration status,” he said:

Do not obstruct federal law enforcement activity. But if you see something you don’t think is right, or are interacting with law enforcement officials, it’s OK to record that conversation on your phone. You should continue to feel safe to call Columbus police and 911. Our police will not be used to carry out these operations.  

I want you to know your rights. Remember, create a safety plan with your family and loved ones. Carry identification or documentation of your status with you. Stay calm and truthful when interacting with law enforcement. Remember, you have the right to remain silent. Memorize the phone number of someone you can call if you need help. Columbus is already safe without federal intervention. Please take care of one another and know that your community leaders see and support you. 

Hardin on Facebook

On Facebook, Shannon Hardin — who earnestly believes he is “married” to a man — said the city will trespass federal immigration laws. He claimed that “our community is scared right now,” and reminded the city’s illegals not to fear local cops.

“ICE doesn’t coordinate with the City,” he wrote, and while Columbus can’t stop ICE activity, “we don’t have to and won’t help.”

He cited Ginther’s executive order from 2017. Among other things, it says that “no department, employee, public official, or public servant of the city of Columbus shall use city moneys, equipment, or personnel for the sole purpose of detecting or apprehending any person based on the person’s suspected immigration status, except in response to a court order.”

Hardin urged people to call 911 for help. “Our police will step in if there is a threat to public safety,” he wrote. “Peaceful protest is not a threat to public safety.” Presumably, illegals should call 911 if ICE — “a threat to public safety”? — is about to arrest them.

He repeated Ginther’s warning to carry identification, and to “memorize or write on your arm your emergency contact’s number.”

Hardin also urged illegals to defy commands from ICE agents:

What can residents do? Check on your neighbors. See what they need. See if their children need a pickup or they need a grocery run. If you see ICE, know that you can record them on your phone. You don’t have to answer their questions. You don’t have to open the door or let federal agents onto your private property without a judicial order, like a warrant. They might wear gear that says “police” on them even though they’re not CPD. Ask them to identify themselves. 

Ginther, Hardin, and other officials are apparently upset that ICE rounded up the usual roster of dangerous illegal aliens, as the agency reported on December 16.

Among the “neighbors” taken into custody were sex and drug criminals from India, Somalia, and El Salvador.

The Dispatch claims that “the majority of people arrested by the agency around central Ohio have not been convicted of a crime,” which ignores 8 U.S. Code 1325. That statute criminalizes being an illegal alien, despite cosmically erroneous claims to the contrary, notably from immigrants such as U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal of India. She thinks ICE agents are “terrorists.”

Federal Law

What federal authorities will do about this apparent attempt to obstruct federal immigration law is unclear.

Border czar Tom Homan and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi have repeatedly warned that far-left sanctuary officials will be arrested and prosecuted for such obstruction. Homan has cited the law against harboring illegals.

In August, Bondi wrote to sanctuary officials to say they must confirm that they are complying with federal immigration laws, and that officials could be prosecuting under the following statutes:

• 8 U.S. Code 1324, Bringing in and harboring certain aliens;

• 18 U.S. Code 371, Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud United States;

• 18 U.S. Code 1071, Concealing person from arrest;

• 18 U.S. Code 1505, Obstruction of proceedings before departments, agencies, and committees; and/or

• 8 U.S. Code 1373, Communication between government agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

In January, former Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, now a judge on the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, also warned that DOJ would prosecute recalcitrant sanctuary officials.

So far, however, federal officials have arrested only two such local big wigs. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan helped an illegal alien flee the city courthouse, where ICE agents had landed to arrest him. Last week, a jury convicted her of felony obstruction.

Also in trouble are a former judge and his wife, who were harboring a Venezuelan illegal — and a member of the Tren de Aragua terror gang — at their home in New Mexico. They face federal evidence tampering charges.