Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued an opinion finding that Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones is within his legal rights to house ICE detainees long-term in the county jail even when those individuals have only been civilly — not criminally — charged. Yost wrote that federal law permits ICE to contract with counties to provide “housing, care, and security” for detained aliens and that such detention is not limited to 48 hours, but may continue pending a decision on removal. The opinion came after County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser asked Yost to weigh in on potential liability issues arising from the sheriff’s contract with ICE signed in February.

Read more: Butler County sheriff within legal rights to hold ICE detainees civilly, Ohio AG opinion says