Today, OIA is releasing an analysis of ICE detention during the Columbus raids so far. The analysis, conducted by researcher John Drury, is based on publicly-available information. And, it is likely an undercount of the arrests and detentions under the so-called “Operation Buckeye,” given data limitations explained in the report’s methodology section. Only the government, possibly, knows the full extent of this campaign. Given how chaotically it has been carried out, even that may not be true. 

Ohio Immigrant Alliance believes at least 214 people were arrested as part of this ICE operation and remain in detention — likely many more. Eighty percent appear to be Latino, plus three people who are Indigenous from Guatemala. The next largest group — Africans — comprises less than 10%. Fully 93% of those arrested are men. 

In Central Ohio, the federal government has unleashed untrained individuals from outside the community, who think they are unaccountable. But greater Columbus has responded in one voice. From the grassroots, which quickly organized itself in sophisticated ways, to civic leaders and faith-based institutions, Columbus is sending a unified message: Immigrants are welcome, ICE is not. Read on for quotes from leaders; more examples of ICE brutality; and resources keeping the community safe.

ICE is not welcome in Columbus; immigrants are. That is the message Columbus residents have been sending since a couple hundred ICE agents descended on the city and began to hunt people on the streets. Residents immediately began mobilizing neighborhood watches and alert systems, keeping agents awake all night at their hotels, and setting up food delivery chains.

ICE is not welcome in Columbus; immigrants are. That is the message Columbus residents have been sending since a couple hundred ICE agents descended on the city and began to hunt people on the streets. Residents immediately began mobilizing neighborhood watches and alert systems, keeping agents awake all night at their hotels, and setting up food delivery chains.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents terrorized Columbus today, trolling parking lots and arresting people in various parts of the city. Officials with the City of Columbus, including the Mayor, City Attorney, Police Chief, City Council President Shannon G. Hardin, and Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla held a press conference to reiterate their support for immigrants who have chosen to make Columbus their home.  

On December 13, OIA hosted our first holiday pop-up shop with Bomani Beauty MD — a local Afro Caribbean, veteran, and family-owned vegan skincare and cosmetics company — at Hexagon Books in Cleveland Heights. Shoppers loved Bomani Beauty's all-natural skin, hair, and bodycare line. The passionfruit oil glosses and cupuaçu butter products were instant hits. Nounou chose the clear gloss and Lynn picked up a big jar of the Lemongrass Lavender Tropical Ting. Ibrahima ordered three jars, one for him and each of his brothers.

Get to know five men who are part of the Mauritanian widows and orphans movement. A day before International Human Rights Day these brave young men — who sought asylum in the US — joined with other leaders to talk about Black civil rights in Mauritania today, and why they continue to demand justice and equality, and seek safety in the United States.

This is an agency that demonizes immigrants who have committed no crimes, yet it fails to police its own ranks. The hypocrisy is breathtaking, and the threat to public safety is clear. We want answers from the Detroit ICE Field Office and Cincinnati Local Office. Do ICE agents have to inform their employer when they come under scrutiny by other law enforcement agencies? Did Saxon inform ICE that he had come under police scrutiny 22 times? If yes, why did they continue to employ him? After allowing a serial sexual predator, Andrew Golobic, to abuse women for years, ICE should have implemented tighter controls. Instead, they are showing that they really do not care about predators. Our community is tired of hearing this agency spread lies about immigrants, and failing to hold its own officers accountable. We demand true public safety, and that includes safety from violent ICE officers like Samuel Saxon.

Ahead of International Human Rights Day on December 10, human rights defenders with the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in US, Progressive Forces of Change (Columbus Chapter), and Mauritanian Orphans’ Alliance documented the Mauritanian government’s ongoing persecution of Black Mauritanians in a webinar for members of the media and lawyers.

A statement from Lynn Tramonte, Executive Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, about the President’s attack on Somali-Americans.

Black Mauritanians have been arrested, tortured, and even killed for demanding full and equal treatment on land their families have called home for centuries. On December 9, at 1pm ET, ahead of International Human Rights Day, civil rights leaders and genocide survivors will provide an update on the state of Black Mauritanians’ civil rights. The briefing will be useful for members of the media, and lawyers working on asylum cases.   

I wish you could have been with us at the Ohio Immigrant Alliance Family Reunion. It was a chance for us to come together after a difficult year, and there were some true heroes in that room.

• People who fled apartheid in Mauritania and Guatemala, surviving kidnappers, animals, and dangerous terrain to exercise their legal right to request asylum.

• People who exposed abuses from inside immigration jail, despite the risks.

• A father who returned legally to the United States after being deported. A mother whose husband is in immigration jail, today. 

The Butler County Commissioners’ meeting on November 18 was packed with residents opposed to the “dirty money contract” Sheriff Jones has with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). So many people attended, some had to sit on the floor. Over a dozen people spoke against the concept of detaining immigrants for civil immigration purposes, saying things like: “Your ICE facility has created a disgusting stench in our town, and we want it gone,“ and “You are empowering a bounty hunter.” 

Another resident said, “When the sheriff is focused on immigrant capture, his attention is away from other crimes.” That’s true. But also, the ICE contract is a way for Sheriff Jones and his deputies to commit their own crimes against a captive audience of people, who simply want to work and take care of their families. 

On November 15, people across the state streamed into Chez Rama the Ohio Immigrant Alliance’s first-ever Family Reunion. It was a chance to be together in person, at the end of a difficult year.

Video highlights will be posted soon. For now, check out a photo recap.

This annotated version of Souleye Ball’s poem provides cultural references and context for people who aren’t familiar with Mauritanian history, culture, geography, and U.S. immigration policy. It offers a deeper level of understanding of the poem, and we invite you to listen to his delivery as well.

Margarita Asicona Avilés, an Ixil woman from Homestead, Florida, has been held for days in a local jail — separated from her children — without an appropriate interpreter to explain what is happening, or help her communicate with attorneys and the court. She is facing criminal charges, and possibly deportation and the loss of custody of her children. The confusion and terror Ms. Asicona Avilés must feel, without being able to fully express herself, is unimaginable.

Abdoulaye Thiaw, a leader in OIA’s #ReuniteUS campaign to raise the visibility of people who were deported, issued a video invitation here. Although he can’t be there in person, he wants the entire community to attend and support this vital organization. This is the work we do at the Ohio Immigrant Alliance, and with your support, we can continue doing it. Thank you!

Margarita Asicona Avilés, an Ixil woman from Homestead, Florida, has been held for days in a local jail, separated from her children, without an interpreter to explain what is happening, or help her communicate with attorneys and the court. She is facing criminal charges, and possibly deportation and the loss of custody of her children. The confusion and terror Ms. Asicona Avilés must feel, without being able to fully express herself, is unimaginable.

Shining the spotlight on some elected officials who will be continuing office, or assuming new roles, in 2026.

Anisa Liban was elected to the Westerville School Board, retaining a seat to which she was appointed. Anisa is the first Black Muslim and Somali woman elected to serve on a school board in Ohio! OIA proudly worked with Anisa, United Bantu of Ohio, Zamzam Women & Family Center, State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, and CAIR-Ohio’s Columbus and Cincinnati Office to draw attention to the horrific hate crime against a Columbus mom earlier this year. The Columbus Police had failed to take action against the assailants, whose crime was caught on video, and we turned to the media to attempt to bring “Faith” the accountability and justice she deserved.   

Austin Davis was elected to represent Ward 7 on the Cleveland City Council. Austin represented one of our heroes from the #ReuniteUS campaign in a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and CoreCivic. This man and his legal team achieved a settlement in a medical neglect case that allowed him to obtain surgery so he can walk again. Austin also represented Cleveland Heights resident and OIA friend Jonas Nsongi Mbonga in his immigration case before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Nadia Rasoul, a U.S citizen of Palestinian heritage, became the first Muslim woman elected to Hilliard City Council and Ajmeri Hoque became the first Bangladeshi, Muslim, and naturalized citizen to be elected judge in Franklin County. Hoque was honored with the Spirit of Justice Award at CAIR-Ohio’s banquet in Columbus earlier this year.

Are there other officials you think we should highlight? Comment on social media to tell us who and why. 

The WTF Community Event was a space focused on art, healing, and action, featuring live music, hands-on art, wellness offerings, and opportunities to connect with other organizations doing meaningful work. Maryam was warmly welcomed by the community, and also got reaffirming messages that Ohioans indeed want immigrants to feel at home. 

Columbus - Ohio Immigrant Alliance is hosting its first-ever Family Reunion and Fundraiser on November 15 at Chez Rama (3669 E. Livingston Ave), a popular Senegalese restaurant. The entire community is invited!

Details and a quote from OIA Executive Director Lynn Tramonte follow.