News Summary

HAMILTON — Local minority groups are joining together in opposition to proposed state legislation they say drives a wedge between government and the immigrant community.

In a joint news conference Friday, May 30, the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the League of United Latin American Citizens railed against the two bills in the state House and Senate.

The Senate unanimously passed its bill, sponsored by Sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester Twp. It would allow county sheriffs to assist in enforcing federal immigration laws at the request of federal officials.

Opponents say the bill would distract deputies from their current duties, seed mistrust of law enforcement in immigrant communities and could lead to racial profiling.

"I would prefer just to have the federal people enforcing the law as it is now," said Gary Hines, NAACP director in Butler County.

"These are groups that are engaged in fear-mongering and spreading lies about the bill," Cates said. "We're trying to get a handle on illegal immigration."

The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Bob Mecklenborg, R-Green Twp., requires Ohio government do its business in English — though it allows for exceptions.

Rep. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton, supported the bill, which made it through the House on a party-line vote.

"I believe we as a community are better off if we can communicate," he said.

Gov. Ted Strickland has said he'll veto Mecklenborg's bill if it gets through the Senate.

Vote for this story!