ICE makes arrests in Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon News)

ICE makes arrests in Mount Vernon

By Samantha Scoles
April 30, 2010
MOUNT VERNON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was in Mount Vernon on Friday making arrests.

“I can just confirm that the arrests made were part of an ongoing enforcement effort,” said Khaalid Walls, public affairs officer for ICE.

Walls refused to comment further on Friday’s actions as to how many arrests were made and how ICE was directed to Mount Vernon, but, said when he can release more information he will contact the News.

According to its Web site, ICE is responsible for the enforcement of over 400 national security and public safety statues and is “the largest investigative agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”

Immigration laws have been front and center since Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a bill into law on April 24 that allows law enforcement to ask for immigration papers.

Courtney Combs, an Ohio state representative from the Cincinnati area, has called for Ohio to create a similar law. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said Thursday he believes an initiate should be placed on the November ballot allowing for enforcement similar to that of Arizona.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland told the Associated Press earlier this week he did not feel Ohio needs to enact a similar mandate because Ohio is not involved in the same immigration “difficulties” as Arizona.