The Fight

Columbus became the epicenter of Ohio’s immigration enforcement controversy after ICE launched “Operation Buckeye” in December 2025, arresting more than 280 people in the Columbus area in one week. The city responded with measures to prevent local police from entering into 287(g) cooperation agreements with ICE and a moratorium on detention facilities. Meanwhile, Franklin County Sheriff and courts continue cooperating with ICE, and activists are pushing judges to bar ICE arrests inside the courthouse.

Key Details

• Operation Buckeye: Dec 16-21, 2025; 280+ arrests across Ohio, concentrated in Columbus
• Composition: 93% men, 80% Latino; less than 7% had criminal records (per Ohio Immigrant Alliance)
• U.S. citizens detained: 2 Puerto Rican U.S. citizens detained during operation
• Franklin County Sheriff cooperation: In first half of 2025, jail handed 50 people to ICE (vs 11 in all of 2024)
• Courthouse arrests: 20 ICE arrests at Franklin County Municipal Court in 2025; activists pushing for rule change
• City response: Columbus passed measures blocking 287(g) agreements and imposing moratorium on private detention centers
• Zoning defense: Columbus moving to block construction of private, for-profit detention centers through zoning/permitting
• Student protests: Central Ohio high school students protested ICE; teacher unions condemned ICE activity near schools (Jan 2026)
• Total central Ohio arrests: 701+ in 2025 (421 Jan-Oct + 280 Operation Buckeye)

Sources

• DHS Touts Success of Operation Buckeye (Jan 8, 2026)
• More than 200 detained in ICE ‘Operation Buckeye,’ including 2 US citizens - WOSU (Dec 30, 2025)
• Activists push for rule change after 20 ICE arrests at Franklin County Municipal Court - 10TV
• Columbus leaders want to limit ICE enforcement - WOSU (Feb 13, 2026)
• Franklin Co. Sheriff must repeal pro-ICE policy - Ohio Immigrant Alliance (Mar 2026)
• ICE operations in Columbus result in 280 arrests - WOSU (Jan 9, 2026)