The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 280 immigrants between Dec. 16 and Dec. 21 during its "Operation Buckeye" initiative, which happened in Columbus and across Ohio.
A Homeland Security release said those arrested included people convicted of drug trafficking, criminal firearm possession and assaulting a police officer.
In a statement Friday, the Ohio Immigrant Alliance said, “the administration has a documented record of lying about immigrants’ criminal histories and gang affiliations. It also refuses to answer questions from the media or provide transparent evidence of its claims.”
It said many people with work authorization and pending immigration cases were arrested and remain in Ohio county jails.
"The government’s strategy is to make detention painful so they agree to give up on their cases and sign up for their own deportation," the alliance said.
This comes as hundreds gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on Thursday night to protest the death of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot and killed in her SUV by an ICE officer on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
A vigil at Columbus City Hall on Wednesday night was also attended by hundreds.
On Thursday, U.S. Border Patrol agents shot two people in Portland, Oregon, during a traffic stop.
More protests are scheduled for noon Saturday in Clintonville and 4 p.m. Saturday at the Statehouse.
