BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones has drawn renewed attention for a sign outside the county jail that reads “Illegal aliens here,” responding to criticism by promoting a petition calling for its removal, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office shared the petition on Facebook, encouraging people to sign, according to the report. The post described Jones as a supporter of transparency who wants to “help those that oppose his view” by amplifying their cause.
“Sheriff Jones is a fair man who loves transparency and supporting his community any way he can,” the Facebook post reads. “He wants to help those that oppose his view. Give them a voice! He came across this petition to have the ‘Illegal Aliens Here’ sign removed from our headquarters. The Sheriff is always up for helping a cause! By all means.... sign the petition! The Sheriff is here to help!”
The Change.org petition urges Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Butler County commissioners to take down the sign, according to the report. More than 1,700 people had signed the petition as of Feb. 7.
Jones, now in his sixth term, has periodically placed the sign outside the jail since 2005, most recently reinstalling it on Jan. 28, according to the report. Known for his outspoken views on immigration, he has been a strong advocate for stricter border policies and has previously worked with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals without legal immigration status. His office has indicated it is preparing to resume cooperation with ICE following the 2024 presidential election.
