‘I fully condemn the concentrated effort to threaten and terrify our most vulnerable populations,’ Bibb said in a statement.
The Mayor of Cleveland, Justin Bibb, has taken a stand against the recent actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Northeast Ohio. He stated that his administration will not enforce “general federal immigration law” amidst the detainments happening in the area.
Geauga County Sheriff, Scott Hildenbrand, confirmed that 58 individuals detained by ICE were being held in Chardon. Six of these detainees are employees of Cilantro Taqueria, located at Coventry and Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights, as reported by Sandro Galindo, the restaurant’s co-owner.
Mayor Bibb expressed his strong disapproval of the targeted actions towards vulnerable populations. He emphasized that arresting immigrants who work in local establishments does not contribute to community safety. He criticized the practice of targeting locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship as unacceptable.
Bibb clearly stated that his administration would not take part in deporting anyone who has not committed violent crimes.
“No law requires that we do so. Cleveland police are tasked with protecting public safety, and while we will take action against anybody who commits violent crimes, we are not enforcing general federal immigration law. Our police are not here to play politics or be used as a tool for fear,” the mayor added.
You can read the entire statement below.
As Mayor, I will use my full authority to recognize the humanity of all people in Cleveland.
I fully condemn the concentrated effort to threaten and terrify our most vulnerable populations. Arresting immigrants working in a suburban restaurant does not make us safer. Targeting schools, hospitals, and places of worship is obscene.
Immigrants are human beings. They have elevated our home by contributing their talents and cultures here. They support our economy. They attend our churches. They are our neighbors. Immigrants have been integral to our city’s story for generations.
My administration will not engage in the deportation of individuals who have not committed violent crimes. No law requires that we do so. Cleveland police are tasked with protecting public safety, and while we will take action against anybody who commits violent crimes, we are not enforcing general federal immigration law. Our police are not here to play politics or be used as a tool for fear.
The federal government should prioritize their law enforcement resources where they are most needed: combating violent crime and promoting safety across all communities. We stand ready to support federal efforts to combat human trafficking, drug trafficking, gun trafficking—any number of offenses that may involve international actors.
This a country of laws, and in public office, we have all taken an oath to uphold the Constitution. We encourage all Clevelanders to learn more about their rights and access the support they need. Helpful resources are available here:
Our strength comes from our people, and Cleveland is strongest when we act together. As a united community, we will ensure that Cleveland remains on the right side of history.
Just days after he was inaugurated, President Donald Trump signed executive orders prioritizing the deportation of undocumented immigrants and challenging birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country illegally.
ICE officials said the agency made 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday and 286 on Saturday. While some of the operations may not have been unusual, ICE averaged 311 daily arrests in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
