CPL Staff Memo on Immigration Enforcement


The Cleveland Public Library sent a memo to staff advising them not to intervene if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents enter library branches to arrest patrons. Executive Director and CEO Felton Thomas emphasized that interfering with arrests could result in legal consequences, such as obstruction of justice. He reassured staff that ICE is unlikely to target CPL employees but reminded them that agents are legally permitted to enter public library spaces. Additionally, staff must protect patron privacy under Ohio law and should refer any ICE inquiries about personal information to the library’s legal counsel.

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