(Photo: Enquirer file)

Mark Curnutte, 5:41 p.m. EDT May 18, 2016

United State illegally and might not otherwise possess valid identification.

Cincinnati City Council voted 5-1 with three abstentions to have all city departments, including police, fire and emergency services, recognize the MARCC ID card. Mayor John Cranley and Police Chief Elliot K. Isaac appeared at a City Hall news conference May 11 to express support.

"We are looking forward to partnering with law enforcement officials who are interested in improving public safety for all," Peg Fox, MARCC executive director, said Wednesday when asked for reaction to Jones' Tweet.

Added Fox, "We're starting in Cincinnati, which is already an immigrant-friendly city, declared by Cincinnati City Council in Resolution 24, March 6, 2013."

Jones, who has traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border several times, has attracted national attention, support and criticism for his opposition to illegal immigration in Butler County and elsewhere.

Jones created a TV ad parody that invited drug dealers to become like tourists and visit Butler County. He also said he favors "billing" Mexico for costs to his departments for handling and incarcerating undocumented immigrants he says are predominantly from that country. In 2010, Jones supported the creation of an Ohio law broadening police powers to remove undocumented immigrants from the country.

The Butler County Jail is a federal holding facility and works on a contract with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to process undocumented immigrants for deportation.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news...gals/84543946/