TAKE ACTION: Urge Ohio Leaders to Oppose SB 172

Ohio Senate Bill 172 is a dangerous and extreme proposal that would dramatically expand immigration enforcement across our state and put immigrant families, Ohio residents, and community institutions at risk.

SB 172 would require state and local officials to allow the arrest or detention of anyone suspected of being unlawfully present in the U.S., anywhere in Ohio and under virtually any circumstances. This includes civil and administrative immigration matters, not just criminal cases, and applies even without a judicial warrant.

If enacted, this bill would:

  • Allow immigration arrests in courts, schools, places of worship, polling places, hospitals, and community spaces

  • Eliminate long-standing Ohio protections that limit civil arrests

  • Force local governments, police, schools, and public institutions to comply, overriding local policies

  • Increase racial profiling and fear, discouraging people from going to court, seeking health care, attending school, or participating in civic life

SB 172 goes far beyond current law and would make Ohio less safe by undermining trust between communities and public institutions.

What You Can Do Right Now

Contact your Ohio House Representative and the Governor’s Office and urge them to OPPOSE SB 172.

Calls matter. Emails matter. This is the moment to speak up.

Call Script:

Hello, my name is ___, and I live in ___.

I’m calling to urge [Representative ___ / Governor DeWine] to oppose SB 172.

This bill would allow immigration arrests anywhere in Ohio — including courts, schools, and places of worship, based on suspicion alone, even for civil immigration matters.

SB 172 would harm families, undermine public safety, and erode trust in our communities.

Please oppose SB 172 and protect the safety and rights of all Ohioans.

Thank you.

Email Template:

Subject: Please Oppose SB 172

Dear [Representative / Governor DeWine],

I am writing as an Ohio resident to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 172.

SB 172 would require state and local officials to allow the arrest or detention of people who are suspected of being unlawfully present in the United States, anywhere in Ohio and under virtually any circumstances. This includes civil and administrative immigration matters, even without a judicial warrant.

If enacted, this bill would allow immigration enforcement actions in places that should be safe and accessible to everyone, including courts, schools, places of worship, and health care facilities. It would override long-standing Ohio protections and undermine trust between communities and public institutions.

Policies like SB 172 do not make Ohio safer. Instead, they increase fear, encourage racial profiling, and deter people from attending court, seeking medical care, enrolling their children in school, or cooperating with public officials.

I urge you to oppose SB 172 and stand for public safety, due process, and the dignity of all Ohio communities.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City or ZIP Code]

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Ohio should be a place where people can go to school, work, worship, and seek care without fear.
Tell your elected leaders: Vote NO on SB 172.

Protect Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Holders in Ohio

What is TPS?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program that allows people from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary crises to live and work legally in the United States while their home countries remain unsafe for return.

Now, thousands of TPS holders across the country are losing their legal protection and work authorization as designations are ending, even though many of their home countries are still in crisis.

Here in Ohio, there are 26,490 TPS holders, most originally from Venezuela, Honduras, Haiti, and El Salvador. Many have lived here for years, raising families, buying homes, and working in essential industries. Despite ongoing instability, violence, and economic collapse in their home countries, their protection in the U.S. is now at risk.

Ohio has the 13th largest number of TPS holders in the United States, and together they contribute over a billion dollars in taxes and help keep our local economy strong. Ending TPS would not only harm these individuals and their families but also deeply affect Ohio’s communities and workforce.

Now is the time to urge our elected officials to protect TPS holders and call for a permanent, humane solution.

Example Call or Email Script

Subject: Protect Ohio’s TPS Holders

Message:

Hello,

My name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of [Your City], Ohio. I’m writing to urge you to oppose the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and to support legislation that provides a pathway to permanent residency for TPS holders.

TPS allows people from countries facing war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances to live and work legally in the U.S. Ohio is home to more than 26,000 TPS holders, many from Venezuela, Honduras, Haiti, and El Salvador. They are integral members of our communities, working, paying taxes, and raising families.

Their home countries are still experiencing severe humanitarian crises, and ending TPS would put lives at risk. I hope you’ll stand with TPS holders and advocate for policies that keep families together and strengthen our communities.

Thank you for your time and for representing Ohio.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City, OH]

Find Your Representatives

You can look up your representatives here: