Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams, a Republican running for the U.S. House, is introducing the Protecting Ohio Communities Act (HB 26), a legislative proposal that seeks to defund sanctuary cities by imposing a 10% funding cut on municipalities labeled as ‘sanctuary jurisdictions.’ The bill aligns with President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities, aiming to pressure local governments to comply with federal immigration policies. Williams argued that mayors in Columbus and Cleveland are likely to resist the legislation due to Ohio’s state constitution, which grants municipalities home rule authority. However, he emphasized that the Trump administration should also apply conditional funding measures to states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration efforts. The bill represents a direct attempt to align state actions with federal priorities on immigration, a central theme of Williams’ campaign for Congress.
The legislation also highlights a broader ideological divide on immigration enforcement. Williams accused Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democratic leader, of obstructing federal enforcement efforts and called for support of Trump’s immigration agenda, which he claims aligns with the will of American voters. He also criticized ‘out of touch liberals’ for creating ‘chaos’ with their policies, arguing that the working-class families cannot afford such disruptions. The measure is currently under review in Ohio’s legislature and is part of a larger strategy by Williams to take his anti-sanctuary city stance beyond the state as he campaigns for Congress.
Williams, whose hometown is Toledo, cited his own experience living in a poor community and what it means to rely on law enforcement for safety and security. He said that when he called 911, he expected law enforcement to respond, and that law enforcement needs to be able to rely on local partners and know that their counterparts won’t ‘leave them hanging’ because they’re working to enforce federal immigration policies. The Protecting Ohio Communities Act has a long way to go before it becomes state law, with the Ohio legislature’s website showing the bill is in House committee as of October 16.
Williams also framed the bill as part of a larger national effort, noting that Ohio has become the ‘epicenter of national politics,’ making it a crucial piece of the Trump administration’s work to crack down on illegal immigration. He referenced Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native who was tapped as Trump’s running mate, arguing that the state’s position under Trump’s administration is pivotal. He concluded by stating that he expects Ohio to continue being a spotlight for change in the nation, reflecting the broader ideological battle on immigration enforcement.