A witness reported that ICE agents fired chemical munitions at protesters out the window of their car as they drove away.
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Author: Evan Watson
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and three city councilors are demanding federal immigration agents immediately stop using chemical munitions in city neighborhoods.
North Portland neighbors reported that ICE agents fired pepper balls during an arrest last week — leaving residents coughing and a child, who was walking to school, needing to wash out their eyes.
ICE agents arrested Erik Tellez on the morning of Dec. 11 as he drove his teenage children to school.
Video footage shows neighbors yelling and protesting the arrest, with some shouting “get out of our neighborhood” at the agents.
According to witnesses, the situation escalated when ICE agents fired pepper balls at the ground near a protester’s feet.
Jaslyn Cincotta, a resident who watched the arrest unfold in front of her home, said agents blamed her for screaming and causing a scene as they detained Tellez.
“They were telling me that I was terrorizing the neighborhood for screaming, (while) they were ripping a father out of their kid’s car,” Cincotta said.
Cincotta said the use of pepper ball munitions reached a climax as the final vehicle of agents left the area.
“The driver and the passenger stuck their freaking pepper ball (guns) out their windows and shot like just freaking lit up the neighborhood with pepper balls as they’re driving off,” she said. “They’re all safe in the car. Downwind, the whole street is just coughing.”
Tellez’s wife and three children, including a 6-month-old infant, are now “heartbroken, scared, and without the support they depend on every day,” according to a GoFundMe page organized by Tellez’s niece.
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, Wilson and the three council members condemned what they called ICE’s “unjustified, disruptive, and escalatory conduct, which undermines public trust in government.”
“We call on federal authorities to immediately cease the use of chemical munitions in our neighborhoods, wear body-worn cameras, and identify themselves when engaging with our community,” the leaders wrote in a statement. “Chemical munitions cannot, and will not, compel our community to accept ICE enforcement we have not asked for and do not want.”
Cincotta characterized the incident as an excessive show of force inconsistent with claims of improving neighborhood safety.
“It’s a show of force,” she said. “Those aren’t actions of making our neighborhoods safer.”
ICE has not responded to requests for comment on Tellez’ arrest or the use of chemical munitions.
Multnomah County board puts $250K toward sanctuary policies after ICE emergency declaration
Along with funding for local organizations working with immigrants, Thursday’s resolution adds a list of new policy steps for county departments.
The policy will charge property owners for detention facilities that negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood, like the ICE facility in South Portland.
Author: Jamie Parfitt
Published: 5:36 PM PST December 18, 2025
Updated: 5:36 PM PST December 18, 2025
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution meant to bolster the county’s sanctuary status and provide a response to the federal government’s surge in immigration enforcement activity.
Less than a week prior, Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency due to the rash of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions within the county.
With Thursday’s resolution came a one-time allocation of funding totaling $250,000. Of that, $175,000 must be distributed no later than early 2026 among providers already contracted with the county to provide client assistance and legal services for families impacted by the raids.
Another $75,000 is earmarked for organizations not currently under contract with the county “to meet the needs of underserved culturally specific groups and increase the reach and impact of County partnerships in the community.”
RELATED: Portland mayor, councilors condemn ICE agents’ use of pepper balls during neighborhood arrest
There will be an application process for this smaller pool of funds meant to begin in January. The county will be looking for an organization’s ability to provide legal services and help with utility and rental costs, as well as child care services, case management and health care.
“Today as families are being torn apart by masked agents across our County and our state, as parents, grandparents, sons and daughters are being harassed and kidnapped on their way to work, to school or to seek care — based on the color of their skin and regardless of their citizenship status — we must act,” said Pederson.
Funding aside, the resolution directs county departments to identify any necessary changes to services — with adding virtual options for appointments given as one example — to ensure clients can access services regardless of immigration status. The county is also directed to provide flexibility in its provider contracts to help with access.
The resolution also calls for “continued coordination” among staff and service providers to monitor federal immigration enforcement actions and track changing federal policies, with the aim of developing and maintaining rapid response networks.
The county is also supposed to provide public reports on specific actions taken to support employees impacted by federal immigration policies and enforcement.
“My staff has been working on this issue since February. This was and continues to be a priority issue for me not just in words but in actions,” said Commissioner Singleton. “My team was trained very early on as MigraWatchers, we have escorted children to school, shared resources with families, and been at local demonstrations.
“Seeing this work come together the way it has is a reflection of an expansive community engagement effort to ensure that the voices of the most impacted people are centered. This is our first action, and there will be more to come.”
READ MORE: Know Your Rights training held in Gresham, following elevated ICE concerns
Finally, the county board is meant to consider an ordinance with further actions by Feb. 25. This ordinance would expand on the county’s original 2016 sanctuary declaration, further restricting county staff from asking about or retaining information on immigration status and to require training on the topic.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Pederson and Singleton, but drew from commissioners’ input during a Nov. 18 public briefing and a Dec. 15 town hall.
“I so appreciate that we approach this from a position of trying to be actionable and not just a symbolic gesture,” said Commissioner Meghan Moyer. “Because the time for symbolic gestures has passed, and I believe actively supporting our neighbors in this unbelievably cruel attack is incredibly important.”
“Strengthening our sanctuary policies is a reaffirmation of our County values,” said Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards. “No one should fear that seeking help will put their family at risk. Whether it’s calling 911, reporting a crime or accessing public services, people deserve to feel safe doing so. The County can’t stand by as the federal government attacks our neighbors. Today we have an opportunity to take action to support our values and commitment to our community, especially immigrants and refugees.”
“Two months ago I asked how the County can respond when there’s ICE enforcement and I sat with our leadership team and that work is reflected here,” said Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon. “This is who we are as a County and as a region and as a state. And this reflects that, so I’m fully supportive.”
Oregon officials seek answers on potential ICE facilities in Portland, Newport
A coalition of Democratic lawmakers are asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE to provide a detailed response by Friday.
The job listings for an ICE detention facility in Portland closely resemble ads posted last month for similar positions in Newport.
Author: Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola
Published: 5:40 PM PST December 16, 2025
Updated: 5:40 PM PST December 16, 2025
SALEM, Ore. — A delegation of Oregon lawmakers is asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reveal any plans for new Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in the state.
In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, lawmakers cited recent job postings that suggested new or expanded detention facilities in Portland and Newport could already be underway. Those jobs have since been removed from Indeed and from the website of recruiter Acuity International.
Previously, spokespersons for the Port of Portland and Oregon Air National Guard Base said they had not received any information from DHS or any private contractors about a proposed detention center at or near the Portland International Airport, despite those short-lived job postings.
In Newport, officials also stated they received no official notice and have been struggling to get detailed answers from the federal government, despite signs that ICE has plans for the area.
In the letter, Democratic lawmakers — including Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Maxine Dexter, Andrea Salinas and Val Hoyle — echoed those sentiments, saying that they were not notified and are demanding transparency before any contracts are signed, asking DHS to provide a detailed response by Friday.
The lawmakers also rebuked the administration’s stringent immigration enforcement policy, as well as the treatment of detainees at ICE and DHS facilities, such as the lack of timely access to legal counsel.
RELATED: Vancouver man detained by ICE, transferred from Tacoma facility to Texas detention center
“We reiterate our steadfast opposition to any new or expanded ICE detention facilities in Oregon,” the letter concluded.
Currently, there are no ICE detention centers in Oregon where detainees can be kept for days at a time. Portland has an ICE processing facility in the South Waterfront neighborhood, which has been the focal point of protests for months. Earlier this month, the Portland City Council voted to start charging detention centers a fee to counteract the “unique costs” they may pose to the city.
Multnomah County declares state of emergency in face of ICE activity
Multnomah County is the latest in a growing list of local governments to issue such a declaration.
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Author: John Tanet
Published: 11:45 AM PST December 12, 2025
Updated: 11:17 PM PST December 12, 2025
MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency in the county Friday morning in response to the ongoing impact of federal immigration enforcement in the community.
With her announcement, Multnomah County is now the latest in a growing list of local governments pushing back on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ presence in the state.
“Multnomah County is committed to using every tool at our disposal to support our immigrant and refugee neighbors, and this declaration strengthens our response to the cruel actions that are terrorizing families throughout Multnomah County,” said Pederson in a press release. “Our diversity is our strength, and we will never waiver from our commitment to serve every person who lives here with dignity.”
Cities like Salem, Hillsboro and Woodburn, as well as Washington County, have issued similar declarations over the last few months. However, Multnomah County is the most populous area to declare an emergency.
Under the declaration, the county will have more flexibility to request assistance from the State of Oregon and suspend its purchasing rules for community resources. The county also reasserted that it will uphold and comply with Oregon’s status as a Sanctuary State.
The county launched a new website to publicly display what it was doing to respond to federal impacts and connect people with local resources: multco.us/federal.
On Dec. 18, the county board will meet to consider a resolution expanding on the emergency declaration, as well as whether or not to allocate up to $250,000 in emergency funds towards “human and legal services to address impacts of federal action.”
The county is holding a virtual town hall and listening session on Monday, Dec. 15 to gather community feedback.
Rumors of ICE lodging in Waldport spark quick community response
In under a week, the central Oregon coast city sprang into action, seeking to ensure ICE did not set up operations there.
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Author: Amy-Xiaoshi DePaola, Colten Weekley
Published: 9:34 PM PST December 12, 2025
Updated: 9:34 PM PST December 12, 2025
WALDPORT, Ore. — Recent rumors of U.S. Immigrations Customs Enforcement setting up shop in the Oregon coast city of Waldport sent the city springing into action.
According to Dann Cutter, Waldport’s city manager, they got wind of the rumor late Friday night — and by Thursday, the problem was resolved, for now.
Reports that ICE was looking to put a facility on the Oregon coast began last month in Newport, when the U.S. Coast Guard relocated a search and rescue helicopter in an apparent move by the Department of Homeland Security to repurpose the site as an ICE detention facility.
Newport officials shared that ICE had also been looking for places to lodge their agents, which Cutter said was the case in Waldport.
RELATED: Oregon’s US senators, congresswoman secure commitment to keep Coast Guard helicopter in Newport
ICE potentially coming to another coastal Oregon town prompted quick action from Cutter, Waldport City Council and community itself after rumors that contracts were being signed, with the federal agency setting up a base of operations at the city’s largest hotel, Giant Alsi Resort.
Ahead of Wednesday night’s city council meeting, Cutter reached out to someone connected to the resort’s owner to see if the rumors were true.
“He said … that ICE had reached out to him and that he was seriously considering the contract given the financial straits, he’s been really struggling with the hotel,” Cutter explained to KGW. “It needs quite a few upgrades, and he’s an older gentleman who has invested his life savings in this. This is really a potential lifeline for him.”
At that point, though, no contract or accommodation existed, one of the resort’s co-owners said.
An unnamed representative of the contracting agency used by the federal government claimed the same thing, stating, “No existing contracts exist for the city of Waldport.”
But it quickly became clear from Waldport residents — contract or not — that a majority wanted nothing to do with ICE in the area.
The city received over 700 emails, most expressing concern about ICE, and more than 120 people packed Wednesday night’s city council meeting, where city leaders unanimously passed a resolution.
“The current direction and operation of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agency has created legitimate fear among many peoples and represents a disregard of American values,” the resolution reads, in part. “The City hereby opposes and objects to any Immigration and Customs facilities or housing within the city.”
RELATED: ICE detention center planned for Portland, job postings hint
The resolution concluded that Waldport would take all action necessary to try and discourage Giant Alsi Resort’s owner from signing the deal.
Then, on Thursday, Cutter had a call with the resort owner, Moni Mansano, himself.
“I really just laid out the kind of strong, vehement opposition that so many residents in the city had,” Cutter recalled. “I tried to explain that a short-term government contract might provide riches in the short term, (but) he really needed to be thinking about this business in the long term.”
Cutter added that Mansano is an immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for a long time.
After over an hour, Mansano agreed to not sign the contract with ICE — at least, for the time being.
“I think there is still a lot of work to be done here in terms of conversations with the owner and working with the owner to find alternatives to that lost revenue and ensure that his business is successful and the city is supporting him,” Cutter said.
