Ohio Immigration in 2025

Immigration continues to be a central issue in Ohio and the United States in 2025. Recent policy updates and enforcement changes are shaping how immigrant communities live and work, making it necessary to stay informed.

In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of the latest immigration laws, explain recent changes, and share practical information on how immigrants in Ohio can better understand and protect their rights.

What does immigration in Ohio look like today? Let’s begin with the capital city, Columbus.

Immigration in Ohio: The Statistics

As of September 2023, Columbus, Ohio, is home to about 185,900 immigrants, representing 9% of the city’s population. Approximately 97,000 children in the capital have at least one immigrant parent, and about 92,700 non-citizens residing in Columbus are potentially at risk of deportation. Around 123,000 immigrants contribute to 11% of the city’s labor force. Additionally, 72% of immigrants participate in the labor force, compared with 67% of the native-born population.

Governor Mike DeWine has noted the role of immigrants in the state: “Ohio is on the move… These Haitians came in to work for these companies. What the companies tell us is that they are very good workers. They’re very happy to have them there. And, frankly, that’s helped the economy.” 

Ohio has around 601,100 immigrant residents, about 5.1% of the population. Other statistics regarding the immigration community in Ohio include: 

• Immigrants comprise about 6.2% of Ohio’s labor force, supporting the economy in several ways. They make up 8.2% of entrepreneurs, 12.2% of STEM workers, and 22.2% of physicians in the state. 
• In Ohio, the largest immigrant group is from India (11% of immigrants), followed by Mexico (8%), China (6%), the Philippines (3%), and Canada (3%). 
• There are about 90,000 undocumented immigrants in Ohio, comprising 17% of the immigrant population and 1% of the total state population in 2016.
• In 2018, immigrant-led households in Ohio paid $3.8 billion in federal taxes and $1.9 billion in state and local taxes. 
• Ohio is home to about 4,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

These figures highlight immigrants’ demographic and economic role in both Columbus and the broader state of Ohio.

Recent Changes to Immigration Law in Ohio & The US in 2025

In January 2025, President Donald Trump took office and introduced a series of executive orders surrounding immigration laws in Ohio and the rest of the US. In the first 50 days of the Trump Administration, Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) reported 32,809 enforcement arrests. By comparison, in the entire fiscal year 2024, ICE conducted 33,242 at-large arrests. 

Key actions included:

• An interior enforcement expansion order in the US (not just at the border) directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase detention capacity. Instead of selectively detaining people based on priorities like criminal background, DHS was ordered to detain everyone they arrest, holding them in custody while their deportation case was pending. This change also expanded where ICE could conduct enforcement operations.
• The interior enforcement executive order also pushed to revive stipulated removal, in which individuals agree to removal without a hearing, allowing DHS to expedite deportations.
• A separate border executive order reduced the availability of release options, such as ICE bonds (paying money to be released from detention) or parole (temporary permission to stay), while cases proceed. 
• The Laken Riley Act expanded mandatory detention without bond for individuals in deportation proceedings. 
• After the executive orders, DHS published a Federal Register notice expanding expedited removal for individuals unable to demonstrate at least two years of continuous U.S. residence. Previously, expedited removal was applied primarily to those apprehended near the border within 14 days of entry. 

As of June 2025, approximately 59,000 immigrants are currently held in ICE custody, about 140% of the detention capacity. Data show that over 70% of those detained had no criminal record, and 93% had not been convicted of a violent crime. Between January and May 2025, over 120,000 people were deported, 67% of whom had no criminal conviction. 

Ohio lawmakers are also considering new legislation. Ohio Senate Bill 172, passed by the state Senate on June 18, 2025, is under review in the House. The bill would authorize state and local law enforcement to arrest individuals suspected of being unlawfully present in the U.S., with or without a warrant, and in any location across Ohio. The legislation prohibits public officials from restricting cooperation with federal enforcement. 

Supporters of the bill argue that it strengthens alignment with federal immigration laws. Opponents caution that it could raise concerns about due process, racial profiling, and relationships between law enforcement and local communities. 

Immigrants in Ohio: Know Your Rights if You Encounter ICE

All persons in the US have constitutional protections, including the right to remain silent when questioned or arrested by immigration officers. If you’re stopped by an immigration officer or other law enforcement, it’s essential to do the following: 

• Stay calm. Don’t run, argue, resist, or fight the officer, even if you believe you’re being mistreated. Keep your hands where police can see them and tell them you must reach into a compartment or wallet to show your documentation. 
• Don’t lie about your status or provide false papers.

You may find yourself in one of the following situations: 

• If you’re pulled over in a traffic stop, ask if the officer is from the police department or immigration. Clarify if they’re from ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Immigration officers may identify themselves as “police,” but they are not local police. 
  • If you are a US citizen or have a lawful immigration status, show your passport, legal permanent resident card, work permit, or other documentation of your status. If you’re over 18, you must always carry your papers. 
  • If you are undocumented, you have the right to remain silent and don’t have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with the immigration agents, police, or other officials. Anything you say to them can be used against you in immigration court. 

• If an officer knocks on your door, you are not required to open it, and make sure your children know they don’t have to open it either. Officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home without permission. Administrative forms signed by ICE officers are not judicial warrants and do not authorize entry.
• If you are outdoors and believe immigration officers may be nearby, move to a safe indoor space if possible. You have greater legal protections inside your home or another private space, since immigration officers usually cannot enter without a warrant signed by a judge.

Speak with an Immigration Attorney in Ohio Immediately to Protect Yourself & Loved Ones

Immigration enforcement in Ohio reflects a broader national trend: policies are expanding the scope of who can be detained, deported, or face changes to their legal status. What once may have been considered a minor issue, such as a low-level conviction or a brief visa overstay, can now result in detention, removal, or loss of status. Because laws and policies continue to evolve, it is critical not to navigate them alone. 

If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, immigration proceedings, or a visa overstay, speaking with an experienced immigration attorney in Ohio immediately can help protect your rights and clarify your options. At Jay Perez Law, we also assist with family immigration matters, supporting families as they work to remain together and plan for the future. Contact Jay Perez Law or call our team to understand and protect your rights. 

Para asistencia en español, contáctanos para hablar con un abogado de inmigración que hable español.