Ohio
Ramaswamy: Sanctuary cities like Cincinnati ‘shameful’ for backing violating rule of law
Watch: Ramaswamy holds gubernatorial campaign rally in New Albany
Vivek Ramaswamy holds a campaign rally in New Albany after announcing his run for Ohio Governor on Feb. 24, 2025.
Ohio governor candidate and Cincinnati-area native Vivek Ramaswamy said Cincinnati should ditch its status as a sanctuary city.
Cincinnati declared itself a “sanctuary city” in February 2017 during President Donald Trump’s first term. The 6-2 vote by Cincinnati City Council was largely symbolic because city police didn’t enforce federal immigration laws anyway.
In the years since, Cincinnati hasn’t passed any rules or taken any action to block U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from arresting immigrants here illegally. But Trump’s administration plans to crack down on “sanctuary jurisdictions,” threatening their federal funding or launching investigations into local leaders.
The Enquirer polled Cincinnati City Council members last month, and they said they did not support revoking the city’s sanctuary status. Mayor Aftab Pureval has said the city will follow state and federal laws as needed.
Ramaswamy, whose parents immigrated from India legally, said Cincinnati’s leaders are advocating for violating the rule of law with their sanctuary city designation.
“Either the city leadership applied the label of sanctuary city to virtue signal, which is for their own private benefit and it’s hollow and it doesn’t mean anything,” Ramaswamy told the statehouse bureau. “Or it does mean something, in which case it means the wrong thing. We absolutely should not have our cities facilitating the abandonment of the rule of law in America.”
Ramaswamy and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost are the top Republicans vying to replace Gov. Mike DeWine, who cannot run again in 2026 because of term limits. Yost said the term sanctuary city is “radioactive” because it’s aligned with open borders and interfering with federal immigration law.
“If that’s what you’re doing, then I think you’re going to be looking at some significant legal and financial problems,” Yost said.
Yost said Cincinnati leaders might be off the hook if their goal is more altruistic than obstructive. “If we’re talking about the Christian virtue of caring for the widow, the orphan and the immigrant, that’s a different kind of thing than obstructing enforcement of the law.”
However, Ramaswamy said most legal immigrants would find Cincinnati’s designation offensive.
“I say this as the kid of legal immigrants: Your first act of entering this country cannot break the law,” Ramaswamy said. “And I think it is shameful when governments, including local governments, are advocating for and even sponsoring and incentivizing the violation of the rule of law.”
Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Sharon Coolidge contributed reporting.
Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
Piketon, Ohio (WSAZ) – Folks in southern Ohio are waking up to power outages and road closures.
Route 32 in Pike County is down to one westbound and one eastbound lane due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are also dealing with tree limbs on roadways.
The Athens County 911 dispatcher told WSAZ that it’s not believed a tornado touched down, but there is storm damage.
The dispatcher said storm damage from flooding and trees being knocked down has affected US 50.
Power outages are being reported in Athens, Pike, Vinton, Scioto and Meigs Counties and even as far south as Boyd County, Ky.
If you’re in a tornado warning area, you’re urged to get to the lower part of your home.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Clarence Burley, II, affectionately known as “Lil Man,” entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 60, at Summa Health Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Born on May 22, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio, Clarence was the beloved son of Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley.
He attended Ursuline High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.
Clarence was a hardworking and dedicated man who spent many years employed at Classic Optical Corporation as a Lens and Frame Specialist. Known for his skill and precision, he was recognized as one of the top lens shapers during his tenure with the company. He also worked for Goodwill Industries, where his exceptional work ethic earned him recognition and awards for outstanding service.
A devoted fan of the Oakland Raiders, Clarence enjoyed football, boxing, roller skating, and bowling. In his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer. He loved life and cherished spending time with family and friends. Whether enjoying a cruise vacation, visiting the lake to admire the water, debating sports statistics from A to Z, or simply sharing laughter with loved ones, Clarence brought joy wherever he went.
Known for his impeccable style, Clarence was often dressed to perfection. He was especially proud of his many Cadillacs, but none more than his beloved Cadillac Seville, affectionately known as “the baby caddy.” He could often be found cruising through the city, listening to music and enjoying the ride. His infectious smile, strength, humor, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
In 1999, Clarence met the love of his life, the former Cathy Winphrie. Their friendship blossomed into a lasting bond, and they were united in holy matrimony in 2015. Together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and cherished memories.
Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Cathy Burley; his children, Shannie (Meisha) Burley of Atlanta, Georgia; DeShawn Burley (fiancée Ziah) of Warren, Ohio; Eddie W. Matthews; and Montell Cochrane; his beloved grandchildren, Zaira, DeShawn, Jr., Deondra, Audrionna, Eddie, Jr., Quiara, Azel, Anyia, Marquel, Aiden, Adalese, Meadow, and Amatureas; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Eula Winphrie; brothers-in-law, James (Jamie) Winphrie and Timothy (Kori) Winphrie; sisters-in-law, Regina Winphrie and Azella Burley; niece Helleenia Winphrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley; his brother, Wesley Burley; and his grandmother, Carrie Davis.
Though Clarence’s earthly journey has ended, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind. His strength, perseverance, laughter, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8
A homegoing celebration will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church , a visitation with the family will be 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home. For additional information, please call (330) 743-4098.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A couple that was charged after investigators say they abandoned two dogs and a cat at an apartment in Warren entered guilty pleas in Warren Municipal Court this week.
Courtney Iser pleaded guilty to three counts of abandoning animals and two counts of cruelty to companion animals, and Isaiah Gilbert pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to companion animals. Sentencing is set for July 7.
The two were charged in May after the animals were found in unsafe and unhealthy conditions without food or water at an apartment on South Street SE. Police were called to the apartment on reports that the animals had been left without care. Iser was charged first, and Gilbert was charged a short time later.
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