CINCINNATI — Since the beginning of the new White House administration, there have been a lot of questions about how decisions in Washington are impacting Ohioans.
While Gov. Mike DeWine was at Wright State on Thursday morning for the state-wide Child Care Summit, he was asked about some important topics in the state of Ohio right now, including ICE raids as well as his choice for the next Lt. Governor.
As change is sweeping across our country, many Ohioans are concerned about increased ICE raids after many arrests across the country and dozens here in Ohio. DeWine said that the state of Ohio will cooperate with ICE.
“In Ohio, we follow the law,” DeWine said. “And, you know, we’re a local government state, which means that we have our sheriffs and we have our police department. So, you know, we have always cooperated with ICE, and, you know, we will we will continue to do that.”
DeWine also shared that illegal immigrants that are being targeted are criminals.
“I think that there’s a consensus in this country that if you’re a criminal, you’re a violent offender, or we don’t want you in this country,” DeWine said. “You know, that’s what the president is saying that he is focused on. So, I think there’s a consensus that it’s fine.”
While there are many immigrants in the city of Springfield, he says they should not worry since they are here legally and are being productive members of society.
“Looking at Springfield in particular, these are workers who are here legally,” he said. “They are being employed because the local companies needed workers. And when you talk to the employers, which is the best way to get the facts, the employers say these are people who show up for work. They want to work.”
Besides immigration concerns, the governor is also working to find another lieutenant governor after Jon Husted was appointed to JD Vance’s empty senate seat. DeWine said he is looking both internally and externally and is hoping to fill the position quickly.
“The number one job of lieutenant governor, frankly, is to be able to take office if something happens to the governor," he said. "My first qualification is someone who I believe could be a very good governor if, in fact, that happened.”