Federal Policies, Local Impacts: Immigration Legislation, Enforcement, and Advocacy in Ohio

Project Title

Federal Policies, Local Impacts: Immigration Legislation, Enforcement, and Advocacy in Ohio

Faculty Mentor(s)

Project Description

At a time when discussions about immigration are increasingly  polarized and empathy is scarce, understanding how national policies shape local realities is urgent. Most scholarly studies of immigration focus on border regions and/or major urban centers. This project addresses a critical gap by centering Ohio’s unique position within national immigration debates, a state whose northern border lies within the 100-mile border enforcement zone, and examining how federal immigration policies intersect with local enforcement and community responses in Northeast Ohio.By situating my research within American, Latina/o, legal and immigration studies, I analyze how shifting federal directives shape local detention practices, state legislation, and sanctuary policies. Drawing on legislative analysis, public reports, media coverage, and documents from advocacy groups, my research traces how federal-local collaborations impact immigrant communities in Ohio. I expect to find that local jails increasingly support federal detention efforts and that community-based, secular, and faith-based groups mobilize to resist restrictive enforcement and advocate for immigrant rights. This research highlights how local communities negotiate an increasingly punitive immigration enforcement landscape by centering the dignity of migrants. By bringing these dynamics to light, my work deepens understanding of how immigration legislation and enforcement are lived on the ground and underscores the need for policies that protect immigrant communities.

Why is your research important?

My research is important because it brings attention to the ways federal immigration policies affect people and communities far from the border, challenging the misconception that immigration issues are only relevant in border states. By highlighting how local governments, detention facilities, and grassroots groups navigate and contest federal enforcement, my work contributes to conversations about human rights, policy accountability, and community resilience.

What does the process of doing your research look like?

Most days involve reading policy documents, analyzing local and federal legislation, and collecting data from public records and news archives. I also engage directly with community organizations by supporting their newsletters and volunteer efforts, which grounds my research in real-time local context and community perspectives.

What knowledge has your research contributed to your field?

My research helps broaden the geographic focus of immigration scholarship by centering Ohio as an important case study for understanding interior immigration enforcement. It sheds light on how everyday spaces like local jails become sites of federal policy implementation and how community-led advocacy reclaims power and care for immigrants in the face of punitive systems.

In what ways have you showcased your research thus far?

So far, I have presented my findings in meetings with my faculty mentor and shared early insights with local advocacy groups through their newsletters. I also prepared an abstract and slides for an on-campus presentation that helped communicate my research to a broader audience.

How did you get involved in research? What drove you to seek out research experiences in college?

I have always been interested in questions about power, policy, and community organizing, especially as they relate to migration and belonging. I sought out research opportunities in college to learn how to translate my questions and community commitments into rigorous, grounded scholarship that can inform real-world conversations and action.

What is your favorite aspect of the research process?

My favorite aspect is discovering connections between policy documents, local stories, and community action that at first seem unrelated. I enjoy how research helps uncover hidden patterns and amplifies voices that often go unheard in mainstream debates about immigration.

How has working with your mentor impacted the development of your research project? How has it impacted you as a researcher?

Working with Professor Perez has helped me strengthen my research questions and situate my work within broader scholarly conversations. Her guidance has encouraged me to think critically about methodology and ethics, and her support has made me more confident in trusting my instincts and community ties as legitimate sources of knowledge.

How has the research you’ve conducted contributed to your professional or academic development?

This project has deepened my interest in pursuing research and advocacy that bridge academia and community work. It has improved my skills in policy analysis, writing, and collaboration, all of which will help me as I continue to study immigration and related issues in graduate school or public policy work.

What advice would you give to a younger student wanting to get involved in research in your field?

Don’t be afraid to follow something that matters to you. Find mentors and community partners whose work inspires you, and remember that your lived experience and local knowledge can be just as valuable as any academic text.