COLUMBUS, OH – Hospitals across Ohio may soon be forced to choose between allowing federal immigration agents to arrest undocumented patients or risking the loss of state funding, under a controversial new proposal. House Bill 281, introduced by Rep. Josh Williams, a Toledo-area Republican, aims to mandate cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at facilities receiving state grants or Medicaid reimbursements.
Williams, in a post on X, stated, “I introduced HB 281 to ensure hospitals that take taxpayer dollars cooperate with ICE to remove illegal immigrants from their facilities. American laws must be enforced. Our resources should serve citizens first—not those who break our laws. It’s time to put America FIRST!” The bill would require hospitals to permit ICE agents to enter, arrest individuals with valid warrants, and collect evidence or conduct interviews, with staff and contractors obligated to facilitate access. Hospitals must also share relevant information or evidence, provided it complies with existing federal and state laws.
Notably, the bill does not mandate screening patients for immigration status but requires hospitals to establish a written policy on the matter, potentially directing agents to specific individuals. The proposal has sparked debate over healthcare access and resource allocation as of June 15, 2025.
