Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey joined the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force in early summer 2026. Sheriff McGuffey has served as Hamilton County, Ohio’s sheriff since 2021 and is the highest-ranking woman in the history of the Sheriff’s Department. Before her time as sheriff, she led major reforms, reducing the likelihood of people returning to jail. She was also credited with bringing the jail from the worst ranking in the State of Ohio to the top.
In the interview below, Sheriff McGuffey discusses how her office defines its role amid federal immigration enforcement, her outreach to immigrant communities, and how a rehabilitation-focused approach to corrections supports public safety.
The sheriff’s responses have been edited for length and clarity
How do you navigate the pressures of federal immigration enforcement while maintaining the local “community policing” model your administration is known for?
As the elected sheriff of Hamilton County, my foremost responsibility is the safety of everyone who lives in our county. Building trust between law enforcement and the community is essential, and maintaining law and order is a critical part of that trust.
Regarding federal immigration policies, our role is clear. When someone is arrested and brought to our jail, we comply with all federal mandates. Every person is fingerprinted, and that information is automatically sent to a federal database. If federal immigration authorities notify us that an individual in our custody is being sought, we follow the required procedures. Our approach ensures compliance with federal law while preserving the integrity of our community‑focused policing model.
Also, I have established open lines of communication with federal Homeland Security officials.
What can you tell us about your outreach to immigrant communities?
By the same token, I have prioritized outreach to immigrant community centers on building trust and ensuring that all residents—regardless of immigration status—feel safe engaging with law enforcement. We work with community organizations, faith leaders, and advocacy groups to foster open communication and to ensure that individuals know they can seek help, report crimes, and access resources without fear. Strengthening these relationships ultimately makes the entire community safer.
If you could change one thing about the national dialogue surrounding law enforcement and immigration, what would it be?
Immigration is a complex issue that has challenged our country for decades. I recognize that changes are needed, and I also recognize that many undocumented immigrants work hard, pay taxes, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
If I could change one thing, it would be to end the stigmatization of people based on broken policies. We should focus on responsible reforms, create a clear and fair pathway to citizenship, and ensure that individuals involved in criminal activity receive due process and accountability through a just judicial system.
There is great value in improving the processes for deportation of convicted criminals, transparency from federal enforcement agencies and improving the legal process for obtaining visas and requiring citizenship.
How does a broken immigration system create opportunities for criminal enterprises to exploit immigrants?
Any vulnerable population is at risk of exploitation. Undocumented individuals often live with heightened fear and uncertainty, making them more susceptible to being targeted by criminal enterprises. This vulnerability also creates broader public‑safety concerns: people who fear coming forward are less likely to report crimes or seek help from law enforcement. When exploitation goes unreported, the entire community becomes less safe.
What challenges do state and local agencies face when asked to take on responsibilities traditionally handled by federal immigration authorities?
The greatest challenge is maintaining trust. Local law enforcement must be accessible to everyone in the community, regardless of immigration status. If we are tasked with enforcing federal immigration laws, that trust can erode quickly. Our focus should remain on public safety, ensuring that all residents feel comfortable approaching law enforcement for help, reporting crimes, and participating in community‑safety efforts.
How can proper resources improve programs that protect immigrants in your community?
Proper resources allow us to strengthen outreach, education, and support systems that help immigrant communities feel safe engaging with law enforcement. With adequate funding, we can expand language‑access services, partner more effectively with community organizations, and provide culturally informed training for deputies. These efforts help ensure that immigrants—documented or undocumented—can report crimes, seek assistance, and access services without fear, ultimately improving safety for the entire community.
You’ve been described as a “reformer” who aims to move from “hard incarceration” to rehabilitation. How does that philosophy apply to your work with the local community, and is it applicable nationally?
When someone is incarcerated, they lose family connections, employment, financial stability, and community ties. The traditional model of “hard incarceration”—locking someone up without providing any resources then expecting them to return to society and do better, equipped with less, has never been effective.
If people call me a reformer, it’s because I believe that providing resources during incarceration gives individuals a real chance to succeed once they return to the community. Skills training, mental‑health support, addiction treatment, and re‑entry planning all reduce recidivism and strengthen public safety.
This approach is absolutely scalable at the national level. Rehabilitation is not only humane—it is practical, cost‑effective, and essential for safer communities.
What was your guiding philosophy in bringing the jail with the worst rankings to the top?
When I was promoted to major in 2013, our jail here in Hamilton County held the lowest ranking in the state according to the Ohio Department of Corrections (ODRC). My guiding philosophy was simple: prioritize the safety of the corrections staff and improve the care, custody and control for the individuals incarcerated in our facility.
I assembled an internal team to address deficiencies ranging from neglected facility conditions, reduction of use of force and establishment of addiction services and gaps in policies and procedures. After nearly two years of sustained effort, diligence, and teamwork, we achieved the highest ODRC ranking and full compliance.
The experience reinforced several lessons. Effective change requires a leader willing to confront difficult issues head‑on. It also requires trust—no single person can accomplish this work alone. By empowering staff, providing the tools they needed, and allowing them to do the work, the success became a shared achievement.
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The Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force thanks Sheriff McGuffy for her time and participation in this post, as well as National Immigration Forum intern Athmik Jeyasekar for his help in writing it.