Franklin County Municipal Court

Lynn Tramonte with the Ohio Immigrant Alliance says without this rule, immigrants would fear showing up for traffic court or as witnesses in criminal trials.

The federal lawsuit claims a new rule purports to shield undocumented immigrants from being detained at or around the courthouse in downtown Columbus.

The Franklin County Municipal Court hosted a tour Thursday of the current state of the current court building. The tour comes after the Franklin County Municipal Court released a statement Wednesday criticizing Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther’s decision to end plans to construct a new court building.

The court said its current building has structural and health issues that a renovation would not address.

Ginther says the cost of new construction across the country has increased, even more so than the cost to renovate very old buildings. The 19-floor municipal court at the corner of South High Street and Mound Street was built in the 1970s.

The Franklin County Municipal Court was told by the city of Columbus construction of a new court facility was canceled due to operating shortfalls and construction costs.

The court says people have been receiving fake notices to pay parking ticket fines or face a court date.

More than 10,000 letters have been sent to the judges asking them to change the rules. Since 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested 18 people inside the courthouse.

The clerk's budget could be reduced from more than $19 million last year to $17.9 million this year. Three years ago, the clerks budget was $15 million.

The affidavit said police were told by friends and family of Monique Tepe that she claimed Michael McKee was abusive and made numerous threats on her life during and after their marriage.