COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Although Columbus does not refer to itself as a sanctuary city, it has maintained sanctuary policies for immigrants and refugees since 2015.
Mayor Andrew Ginther said he plans to keep it that way, even with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders threatening immigrant citizenship and mass deportations. Ginther said he believes it's in the city’s best interest to welcome all kinds of people. He said a lot of things are still up in the air right now, but he intends to stand firm.
“What's important for me is to focus on the things that matter most to the people of Columbus, and that's safety, housing, transit and jobs. And we're going to continue to focus on those things, look for opportunities to partner with the new administration, but also stand up and protect our values,” Ginther said.
Columbus blessing boxes in need of donationsGinther said at this point he has no official knowledge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers being in Columbus. Ginther said he plans to keep Columbus as a place that all are welcome.
“We believe very much that we can lead the economic growth of this state and this nation by continuing to focus on being a safe, welcoming place for all,” Ginther said.
Ginther said he has been mayor during the Trump administration before. He cites an executive order he signed in 2017 protecting the rights of those people to be here, which said “it shall be the policy of the City of Columbus to vigorously oppose any effort to require the use of local taxpayer resources for the enforcement of federal immigration policy.”
Trump's executive orders, in part, said the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure any sanctuary jurisdictions do not interfere with federal law enforcement's new orders to prosecute immigration laws, lest they lose federal funding. NBC4 asked if Ginther was worried the city might lose funding for it's policies.
“I don't think we're defying orders. The executive order I signed in 2017 and which was later codified by council I think is very clear. And we're going to continue on that path until we're directed,” Ginther said.
Columbus NAACP president oustedGinther said his message to the people of Columbus is that despite the "chaotic and scary themes coming out of Washington," people need to stick together.
“What we need to do is stay focused on truth, facts and each other. We need to make sure that we're sharing truth, that we're sharing facts. We're not spreading rumors or stirring the pot or pitting neighbor versus neighbor,” Ginther said.
Another executive order signed by President threatens federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs. NBC4 asked Ginther how many people would be at risk of losing their jobs. His response was there is still a lot to learn about those executive orders.
Records show since 2022 the city has spent more than $5 million dollars on diversity and inclusion. Those same records show there is also about $2.5 million allocated in this year's proposed budget. The offices are dedicated to promoting diversity in all city departments and is something Ginther established himself in 2016.
Trump’s executive order threatens to shut down “radical and wasteful DEI programs.” NBC4 asked the mayor if he has put any thought into what happens if those offices are shut down here.
“I think there's a whole lot more to know. We believe and a fundamental part of my administration has always been around equity. And we believe that, you know, DEI is critically important to this community for us to reach our full potential,” Ginther said. “We want to be the nation's capital for upward mobility. And so, in order for us to do that, we need to invest in lift up folks that have been left out of Columbus. A success story.”
Ginther said he is going to focus on the things that matter most to the people of Columbus.
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