Trump-ordered ICE raids impact Northeast Ohio
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
ICE has conducted raids at various locations throughout the country over the past week. Photo: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images
It didn't take long for President Trump's immigration crackdown to affect Northeast Ohio.
Why it matters: Raids earlier this week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting businesses have shaken local communities and both documented and undocumented immigrants.
Catch up quick: On Monday, the Geauga County Sheriff's Office confirmed more than 50 people were taken into custody and being detained at the county's Safety Center.
- The owners of Cilantro Taqueria in Cleveland Heights told media outlets that six employees were among those arrested over the weekend.
The big picture: Similar raids have taken place nationwide following Trump's executive orders targeting undocumented immigrants.
- They have resulted in more than 5,000 arrests since last Thursday, per figures posted to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's X account, including nearly 1,200 on Monday alone.
Between the lines: The Trump administration has also opened the door for ICE to raid "sensitive locations" that were previously off limits, including hospitals, schools and places of worship.
What they're saying: Michael Jolic, of Martin Jolic and Associates in Independence, says he hasn't seen anything like this in his nearly 30 years of practicing immigration law.
- "I'm getting calls from clients that I've represented for a number of years — people here legally, who these orders aren't targeting — that are concerned about what may happen to them."
- "We've had an uptick in calls from people who are afraid they're going to come to their churches and hospitals worried ICE is going to come for employees or patients," says Stacy Cozart Martin, a partner at Martin Jolic and Associates.
Zoom in: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb issued a statement Tuesday condemning such raids and saying local police will not enforce federal immigration law.
- "As Mayor, I will use my full authority to recognize the humanity of all people in Cleveland," Bibb said. "Immigrants are human beings. They have elevated our home by contributing their talents and cultures in our great city."
- "My administration will not engage in the deportation of individuals who have not committed violent crimes ... No law requires that we do so."
What's next: The Trump administration has issued ICE field offices across the country a quota of 75 arrests per day, according to CNN and the Washington Post.
- "People are scared," Cozart Martin says. "And you don't know it's going to be this way for the next four years."