Portland Council Plans ICE Crackdown Measures

Portland Councilmember Proposes Policies to Address ICE Presence

Portland City Councilmember Angelita Morillo has announced her intention to introduce three new policies aimed at addressing the presence and operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the city. These proposals come in response to recent developments involving an ICE facility located in South Portland, which has faced multiple land use violations.

Morillo's initiative is a direct reaction to the city’s notice of a land use violation issued against the ICE facility. In a social media video, she explained that the first policy seeks to disincentivize landlords from leasing their properties to ICE. Under this policy, any landlord who chooses to lease space to ICE would be required to pay additional fees to the city. These fees would cover the costs associated with cleaning up after protests or increased police presence in the area.

“We plan on introducing three policies to address ICE and also just in general federal encroachment over our city,” said Morillo in an interview with KATU. “This includes a detention fee for any landlords who are choosing to do contracts to open up new detention centers.”

The proposed fee is intended to hold landlords accountable for the financial burden placed on the city when conflicts arise between protesters and ICE. For example, if ICE uses tear gas during a protest, the city incurs environmental cleanup costs. Morillo emphasized that the goal is to encourage landlords to consider the impact of their decisions on the community.

In addition to the fee, Morillo also proposed a privacy policy to address data loopholes that allow agencies to buy, sell, and track individuals’ personal information. Another policy aims to prevent private security companies from enforcing federal law when they are supposed to be focused on state and local responsibilities.

Council President Elana Pirtle Guiney shared her thoughts on these proposals, stating that while she awaits more details, she agrees that the city needs to protect its residents from federal overreach. She noted that the Trump administration has repeatedly targeted Portlanders, and it is the responsibility of city leaders to defend the community.

District Two Councilor Sameer Kanal also announced two proposals to address ICE in the city. The first would officially make Portland a sanctuary city. Kanal mentioned a second ordinance that he plans to file with colleagues, focusing on preventing law enforcement from concealing their identities.

While KATU reached out to an ICE spokesperson, there was no response. However, in June, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement regarding the Portland ICE facility. It described the facility as being under siege, with rioters attacking law enforcement, destroying federal property, and posting death threats. Graffiti near the facility included the phrase “Kill Your Masters.”

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that claims about substandard conditions at ICE facilities are false. She emphasized that detainees receive proper meals, medical care, and access to family and legal counsel. According to the statement, the Southwest Portland facility is a processing center, not a detention center, and detainees are typically held for no more than 12 hours.

McLaughlin also criticized the mayor’s investigation into the facility, calling it a mere Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request without any effort to verify facts with ICE. She urged states and local governments to assist with detention space but noted that Portland has not responded to this call.

These developments highlight the ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, as well as the broader debate over the role of cities in protecting their residents from federal actions.