CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Tuesday issued a formal opinion clarifying the legal landscape for county jails holding federal immigration detainees.

The opinion addresses the authority of counties to contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the duration of such detentions. Here are key takeaways from reporter Adam Ferrise’s story.

Counties can contract with ICE for indefinite detention

Yost’s opinion said county governments are permitted to enter into contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These agreements allow counties to house individuals facing civil immigration charges in local jails for extended periods.

Unlike a standard 48-hour detainer request from ICE, these contracts enable counties to hold detainees indefinit

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