Ohio sheriffs taking all the steps they can to counter illegal immigration

May 31, 2006

Ohio’s Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones says he can't force federal agents to do anything about the illegal immigrants that he believes are costing taxpayers millions of dollars in his county.

But there are some things he can control.

'I took an oath to uphold all the laws of this state and of this country,' he said. 'I don't know if it's an activist role. It's an American role, and I'm doing this as an American.'

Jones is one of several sheriffs who are using state laws to control illegal immigration in their counties. His deputies are being trained to spot fake driver's licenses and Social Security cards, and he is using state tax codes and other laws to go after businesses suspected of hiring illegal immigrants.

Some believe that no one has been more active or outspoken in fighting illegal immigration than Jones. His efforts have included:

• He has billed the federal government for the cost of housing illegal residents in his jail.
• Two signs at the sheriff's department say 'Illegal Aliens Here,' with arrows pointing toward the jail.
• Billboards on I-75 warn businesses not to hire anyone with false documents or fake Social Security numbers.
• His web log encourages residents to boycott businesses that hire illegal workers and discusses national immigration policy.

But in Ohio’s Allen County, Sheriff Dan Beck also has taken a strong stand against illegal immigration. Deputies have training in spotting forged identifications, which Beck says allows them to arrest illegal residents under state law.

Beck also is trying to get the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to deputize his employees so they can enforce federal immigration laws. At a recent sheriffs association meeting, more than a dozen sheriffs said they have had to release detained illegal immigrants because federal immigration agents are too swamped to respond.

Beck and Jones acknowledge that illegal residents are no more prone to commit serious crimes than citizens. Most of the court cases involving illegal immigrants in their counties involve misdemeanors or charges of having false documents.

But, they say, illegal immigration is taxing their cash-strapped counties. 'Every law-enforcement agency I know is overwhelmed and understaffed,' Beck said. 'We don't need anything to add to this.'

Last year, a 9-year-old girl was raped, and an illegal Mexican resident was suspected. The crime shook the county, which held forums and worked to repair the relationship between Latinos and non-Latinos.