Bill would allow officers to arrest illegals

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — Designated local law enforcement would have authority to arrest illegal immigrants under legislation introduced in the Ohio Senate.

Senate Bill 35, sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Stewart, a Republican from Albany, would direct the attorney general to pursue an agreement with the U.S. Attorney General’s Office to provide jurisdiction to local officers. The move is allowed under federal legislation enacted more than a decade ago.

Officers would have to complete training and obtain written certification in immigration laws. Afterward, they would be authorized to investigate, arrest, detain and transport illegal immigrants.

Stewart, testifying before the Senate’s State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday, said “hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants enter the United States” annually, some of whom come to Ohio.

“We cannot continue to sit back and watch illegal immigrants come into our state and take the jobs of the hard-working men and women we represent,” Stewart said. “It’s so frustrating knowing a person is in the U.S. illegally but not being able to do anything about it.”

He added, “If passed, Senate Bill 35 would give law enforcement the ability to finally do something about the problem.”