Butler County residents continue protest of ICE contract

Residents filled the Butler County Commissioners’ meeting for the 25th consecutive week to oppose the Butler County Sheriff’s Office’s contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones re-entered a contract with ICE in February 2025 after cancelling an existing agreement in 2021 due to increased inspection demands and an unorganized process making the contract no longer cost effective, according to reporting by the Journal-News.

In October, the county increased its daily rate to house ICE detainees for the U.S. Marshall Services to $105 per inmate per day and a transportation rate of $36 per inmate. 

Jones said he believes the county will bring in over $20 million annually from the ICE contract, according to initial reporting from the Journal-News.

Locals and residents flooded the Butler County Commissioners’ meeting room on Jan. 13, urging them to back out of the contract with ICE, although Commissioner Cindy Carpenter said they are not allowed to terminate it.

But Kathie Brinkman, co-president of the Oxford League of Women Voters, cited a letter from Ohio Attorney General Yost to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Michael T. Gmoser that states, “The board of county commissioners may enter into an agreement with federal immigration authorities, on behalf of the sheriff, to detain aliens subject to removal in the county jail. The sheriff, however, does not have independent contracting authority for this purpose.”

Brinkman said, “In Ohio, it is only county commissioners who can enter into contracts with ICE and only county commissioners who can cancel those contracts.” 

Carpenter responded by saying commissioners cannot direct or manage the day-to-day operations of elected county officials including the sheriff, adding the role of the commission is “administrative and fiduciary.” 

According to the same letter from Yost, “The board of county commissioners, however, is responsible for contracts involving the operations of a county jail.” 

The board’s responsibility includes contracts for food, medical services and other programs or services for prisoners and other persons placed in the sheriff’s charge, according to the letter.

Further, the letter cites case law that says commissioners “(are) the representative(s) and guardian(s) of the county, having the management and control of its property and financial interests, and has exclusive and original jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to county affairs, except in respect to matters the cognizance of which is exclusively vested in some other officer or person.” 

Carpenter said in response to requests to terminate the contract, the commissioners do not use their authority to make political statements. 

“Our sheriff operates a modern, state-of-the-art jail that is widely regarded as one of the best jails in the state of Ohio, with established standards, oversight and accountability,” Carpenter said. “While this board does have authority over contracts, we exercise that authority based on the legality, fiscal responsibility and long-term interest in Butler County.”

Carpenter said if the contract was rescinded for political or symbolic reasons, it would “undermine the stability, trust and cooperative relationship that exists and allows county government to function.”

Carpenter told the Oxford Free Press following the meeting that members of the public coming to commission meetings won’t create change. 

“This is a federal issue,” she said. “This is not the place that would change that issue.”

Carpenter expressed her support and trust in the Butler County Jail, saying she would not “be convinced that we have a poorly functioning jail.”

She said, even if change was enacted, it would simply be “a political show” and incarcerated individuals would likely be sent to another jail.

Kevin Reuning, associate professor of political science at the Center for Analytics and Data Science at Miami University, spoke during the public comment period about commissioners standing against the ICE contract in Butler County.

“Leadership is doing what is right, even when it isn’t easy,” Reuning said. “Leadership is about being on the right side, even when there is risk involved.”

Shane Thayer, a Marine Corps veteran, took time off of work to share his thoughts on the ICE contract at the meeting.

“I don’t believe there is a flag big enough to hide the shame of what we are doing,” Thayer said.

Thayer spoke about his service in Afghanistan and his fear of a fascist government. Now, Thayer says those fears have become a reality. “We imported it – we brought fascism to the United States,” Thayer said. “That sheriff, that jail, is starting to become known as the ‘Butler County concentration camp.’” 

Carpenter said of the comments and concerns expressed by over 20 members of the public, “These concerns are real and I want to acknowledge the emotion behind them.”

A vigil for Renee Nicole Good, a mother and poet who was shot by an ICE agent on Jan. 7 while in her car, according to reporting by the Associated Press, was held prior to the session, hosted by Butler County locals, Butler County for Immigrant Justice and other groups.

The Butler County Commissioners will meet again on Jan. 20 at 9:30 a.m. at 515 High St. in Hamilton.