📜Our new report shows a dramatic expansion of ICE contracts in Ohio during the first year of President Trump's second term.

The research includes an analysis of a variety of contracts related to immigration enforcement, transportation, and detention.

ICE does not keep us safe.

The primary election is two weeks away! If you are voting in-person, whether early at your Board of Elections, or on May 5 at your unique polling place, you need an unexpired photo ID.

Review the list below before you cast your ballot.

More info at ACLUOhio.org/VOTE

Time is running out for Gov. DeWine to take a side on the death penalty Soon after he took office in 2019, Gov. Mike DeWine imposed a kind of informal moratorium on executions in the Buckeye State. But Ohio’s thoughtful and respected chief executive has yet to say what…

If Governor DeWine does not take action on the cases of people currently on death row, Ohio is scheduled to carry out 30 executions in the months immediately following his departure. He must use his clemency powers to commute sentences before it's too late.

thehill.com/opinion/crim...

📣Join us on Saturday, April 25 to canvass Columbus neighborhoods to get-out-the-vote for Issue 5!

Issue 5 will enhance 911 responses for non-violent crises by dispatching a team of trained non-police responders.

💻Sign up today: www.mobilize.us/acluohio/eve...

Tell Your Buddies – Changes to Ohio’s Cannabis Laws in Effect - ACLU of Ohio We’ve rolled into April once again and our team is hard at work making sure you know the state of Ohio’s adult-use cannabis laws. To be blunt, they haven’t improved

🍃Ohio's adult-use cannabis laws look a little different this 4/20.

💨To be blunt, they haven’t improved.

www.acluohio.org/news/tell-your-buddies-c...

Gov. Mike DeWine can end Ohio’s death row limbo with one act of clemency: Leila Atassi Ohio’s stalled death penalty exposes the false promise of finality and the irreversible danger of wrongful executions, making Gov. Mike DeWine’s clemency power the clearest, most responsible way to re...

Before he leaves office at the end of 2026, Gov. DeWine can and must use his executive authority to issue commutations to death row inmates who have exhausted all of their appeals in the courts.

www.cleveland.com/opinion/2025...

Watch the ACLU of Ohio staff answer the burning question, "What's your favorite amendment?!"

House breaks with Trump, voting against ending deportation protections for Haitians All House Democrats and four Republicans forced a vote on a measure to stop the Trump administration from ending temporary deportation protections for more than 300,000 people from Haiti.

This bipartisan vote is a major win for immigrants’ rights and Haitians living in Ohio.

Members of Congress are breaking from the Trump administration’s unlawful and dangerous agenda to end humanitarian protections and deport our immigrant neighbors and loved ones.
www.cbsnews.com/news/house-v...

'Stay out of Cincinnati.' Small Ohio town chief visited schools for ICE 'checks' Cincinnati Public Schools' superintendent said a small town chief tried to do 'wellness checks' on students for ICE.

This is extremely concerning. Ohio schools must remain safe places for all children to learn and grow, regardless of their immigration status.

Local police officers working "on behalf" of ICE have no place in our schools.
https://ow.ly/ER5x50YKZZU

'Drag ban bill': Ohio's HB 249 draws concern from LGBTQ+ community Drag performers and much of the LGBTQ+ community say the proposal amounts to a drag ban that targets their community.

Ohio's Drag Ban (which passed the full House last month) has officially been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Drag is protected speech, just like any other art form.
https://ow.ly/PlsZ50YKtge

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine sets new date to reveal his personal stance on state’s death penalty Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has set a new date to reveal his stance on the death penalty. The governor is expected to declare his opposition to capital punishment as Ohio lawmakers return from a weeks-long ...

Governor DeWine has already acknowledged deep concerns about Ohio’s capital punishment system by preventing executions throughout his tenure.

He must use his clemency powers now.

www.cleveland.com/news/2026/04...

Our new report shows a dramatic expansion of ICE contracts in Ohio during year one of President Trump’s second term.

The collaboration between local governments and ICE undermines public safety, destabilizes communities, and supports Trump’s inhumane anti-immigrant agenda.

NEW: We just filed a motion urging a federal court to issue a class-wide permanent injunction to stop ICE's unlawful and reckless practice of rounding up and jailing Ohio residents without complying with probable cause requirements.

www.acluohio.org/press-releas...

Columbus City Council delays vote on county jail contract over ICE policy Columbus City Council delayed voting on a contract with Franklin County for jail services over questions on the sheriff's policy on working with ICE.

Thank you @cbuscitycouncil.bsky.social for delaying the vote; local governments should not be proactively collaborating with ICE.

We urge county leaders across Ohio to rescind any and all partnerships - contractual or not.

www.dispatch.com/story/news/l...

This morning I am testifying vs HB 20, a bill re: interfering with police. Like other state’s laws of this type halted by courts, HB 20’s language is unclear & too broad, raising various free speech concerns. Plus, Ohio law ALREADY prohibits the behavior targeted by HB 20.

Columbus voters could create police-free 911 options A May 5 ballot measure would also expand crisis teams to 24/7.

Columbus voters – we have a Primary Election on May 5 and we urge you to vote YES on Issue 5. This proposal will meet the health and safety needs for community members in crisis.
www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/1...

A pink ombre background with a photo cutout of a person in a black ACLU t-shirt reading "the war on drugs is bullshit" with a graphic of a bull on the shirt. Around the person are cutout photos of the ACLU's 420 merch collection, including a sticker sheet, matchbox, muscle tank, bandana, button, and tin

We'll be blunt: The war on drugs is bullshit.

Shop our fire new 420 collection at aclu.org/shopgrass_ to support our legal and advocacy work.🔥

If Governor DeWine does not take action on the cases of people currently on death row, Ohio is scheduled to carry out 30 executions in the months immediately following his departure from office.

Take action today!
https://ow.ly/pJKw50YIVTX

'Wrong place, wrong time?' Over 500 Ohio ICE arrests were 'collateral' As ICE enforcement has increased, so has the number of immigrants arrested as "collateral" in 2025. Over 500 Ohio ICE arrests fit that description.

Last month, we filed a class action lawsuit against ICE for their unlawful practice of conducting warrantless arrests without probable cause.

The overwhelming majority of immigrants detained in Ohio facilities lack any criminal record.
https://ow.ly/999u50YIpCz

We are protecting Ohio's Reproductive Freedom Amendment one lawsuit at a time.

Vote YES on Issue 5 billboard in the wild. 💜

Our proposal will improve responses to 911 calls for community members experiencing non-violent crises.

Make sure and cast a YES vote by May 5. 🗳️

Our new report shows a dramatic expansion of ICE contracts in Ohio during the first year of President Trump's second term.

The landscape has severely shifted in a twelve month period. ⬇️

www.acluohio.org/publications...

Many ICE detainees in Ohio have no criminal record: Does that matter? Federal data analyzed by the Dayton Daily News shows that many U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees in Ohio have no criminal record.

ICE agents are harming immigrant communities by detaining law-abiding Ohioans going about their daily lives.

This conduct is both illegal and morally reprehensible.

www.journal-news.com/local/many-i...

Some of greatest comic minds would be banned if Ohio reps get way | Letters Letter: Ohio's war on drag is complete and utter nonsense. No one is protected.

Drag is protected speech, just like any other art form. It is NOT a crime.

Lawmakers must protect Ohioans’ First Amendment right to express themselves on and off the stage. https://ow.ly/wRBW50YHe7N

Delaware County sheriff declines ACLU request to remove ICE from federal contract Delaware County Sheriff Jeff Balzer declined the ACLU of Ohio's suggestion to remove ICE as a user of the county's federal detainee contract.

We are disappointed that the Delaware County sheriff plans to renew the jail contract next month, and will include ICE as an authorized user moving forward.

www.delawaresource.com/2026/04/08/delaware-coun...

🎞️🏳️‍⚧️At our screening of @heightenedscrutinydoc.com we raised more than $5,000 dollars for @transohio.bsky.social to support the trans community in southeast Ohio thanks to the generous donations of attendees.

Together, we can build an Ohio that welcomes ALL.

The last day to request an absentee ballot for the May primary election is April 28.

Because of a new restrictive law, all mail-in ballots must be received by your Board of Elections by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted.

More information here: www.ohiosos.gov/elections/re...

Out in Ohio: Statewide business coalition pushes for LGBTQ+ protections COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A coalition of more than 1,300 businesses across Ohio is renewing efforts to pass statewide LGBTQ+ protections, arguing such policies are essential not only for civil …

A coalition of more than 1,300 businesses across Ohio is renewing efforts to pass statewide LGBTQ+ protections, arguing such policies are essential not only for civil rights, but also for economic growth. 🌈
https://ow.ly/GwSv50YGFmy

Ohio House Republicans vote for another abortion waiting period, while current one is in court The "She Wins" Act would require Ohio providers to give women seeking abortions information 24 hours before getting the procedure.

This bill blatantly violates the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment. Should HB 347 ultimately become law, we would challenge it immediately.

Our Constitution is clear: lawmakers may not burden, penalize, or discriminate against people accessing abortion care.

www.statenews.org/government-p...

County jails are making millions of dollars to house immigrants for federal authorities.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Ohio stakeholders to cut ties with ICE.

📲 action.aclu.org/send-message...