Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

June 8, 2007
For Immediate Release….

As Federal Immigration Reform Bill Stalls, Sheriff Jones and
State Rep. Combs call for State Action

(Butler County, Ohio) – With the Federal Immigration Reform bill apparently dying in the US Senate, Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones and State Representative Courtney Combs say now is the time for the State of Ohio to take action and deal with some issues that may have led to the downfall of the federal proposal.

“It seems that maybe the ‘silent majority’ was heard after all by federal legislators,” said Sheriff Jones. “No one I spoke with liked the feds idea of watered-down immigration reform,” he added.

Sheriff Jones and Rep. Combs issued a statement earlier this week calling for Ohio to issue a “Resolution of Non-Support” for the federal reform proposal. Now, that resolution appears unnecessary. While certain aspects cannot be dealt with at the state level (such as sealing and securing the borders and eliminating amnesty for those here illegally) both Jones and Combs see an opportunity for Ohio to take a stand. They plan to call on Speaker of the House Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris to help push for enacting new state laws aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues.

“Let’s create stricter state laws to go after employers who hire persons who are in this state illegally,” said Rep. Combs. “Also, let’s make English the official language of the state. Those who live in Ohio should know our language. Taxpayers should not have to pay for interpreters in schools, and US citizens living here shouldn’t have to learn another language,” he added.

Sheriff Jones would like to see more local law enforcement agencies be able to help in the struggle against illegal immigration. “Local law enforcement can’t deport people for being here illegally—that’s pretty much limited to federal control. I.C.E. has been helpful in deporting persons after they have been convicted of state crimes here. If we would make it a crime to be in Ohio illegally and local law enforcement could charge offenders with that as a state criminal offense, then we probably could get I.C.E. to deport those offenders, too,” said Jones. “Now is the time for Ohio to show the rest of the country how to deal with some immigration problems.”


Prepared by: Monte Mayer, BCSO Public Information Officer and Jarrod Weiss, Office of State Rep. Combs