Portage County’s sheriff, an outspoken critic of illegal immigration, has become one of the first in Ohio to enter an agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.

Signed last month by Republican Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, the agreement allows the office to act as a task force for federal immigration authorities while performing regular police duties. The department will receive no additional revenue from federal authorities.

Under the agreement, the Portage County sheriff’s deputies are authorized to do the following:

• Interrogate any person suspected of being in the country unlawfully and process immigration violations for those arrested on state or federal charges.
• Arrest anyone without a warrant who tries to “unlawfully enter the United States in the officer’s presence or view,” or if the officer believes the person is likely to escape before the officer can get a warrant.
• Hold those arrested in custody whether the arrest is by Portage County, ICE or another law enforcement agency on behalf of ICE.

Last year, Zuchowski garnered national attention after calling immigrants “human locust” in a Facebook post. In the same post, he encouraged people to keep a list of homes with signs supporting Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

The post triggered the Justice Department to send a monitor to observe elections in the county for voter intimidation.

Last week, Kent State University announced federal authorities revoked visas for a current student and three graduates. Their identities, next steps and whereabouts are unclear. The ICE Detroit field office, which oversees Northeast Ohio, did not respond to a request for comment.

ICE does not list Kent State University Police or Kent City Police in its database as having similar agreements with the agency. The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and Butler County Sheriff’s Office are the only other agencies in the state with task force agreements.

Zuchowski’s office did not readily reply to a request for comment. In a subsequent phone call, a representative for the sheriff’s office did not wish to comment at the time and said Zuchowski may do so at a later date.

Alton Northup is news director. Contact him at [email protected].