More than 10,000 people have sent letters to Franklin County Municipal Court judges asking them to change rules allowing federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to make arrests inside the courthouse.
Sharon Kim from Asian American Midwest Progressives said the campaign started in August. Since 2025, ICE agents have arrested 18 people inside the courthouse and detained three people near the court.
Kim said Friday that people from the Columbus community approached her group to begin the effort.
"People have the basic right to seek justice without fear," Kim said.
Common Cause Ohio's Catherine Turcer said her group is another one behind the effort. Turcer said 10,245 letters have been sent since the beginning of 2025.
Turcer said that people entering the court system deserve to have a safe space.
"It is clear that if it doesn't feel safe to go and testify, then folks are not going to actually get the justice that they deserve," Turcer said.
Turcer also said the fear that ICE agents might be at the courthouse can reduce witnesses coming to court to testify.
"It can make people who were victimized more fearful," Turcer said.
In a statement Friday, the judges say they have monitored ICE activity in the courthouse and are conducting an analysis to ensure the court is complying with legal standards.
"We recognize that this is an issue of significant public importance, and we appreciate the community's interest and concerns," the judges said. "The Court continues to examine all relevant legal authorities and considerations to ensure that any decisions made are consistent with the law and serve the best interests of public safety and the administration of justice."
In 2025, Franklin County Common Pleas Court judges adopted rules regarding ICE.
The rules limit ICE from arresting individuals for civil reasons — such as crossing the U.S. border without proper documentation — without a criminal warrant on the courthouse's premises. And the rules prohibit criminal arrests within a judge's courtroom, unless ICE or any other arresting agency without a judge's approval.
