Portland Activists Urge City Council to Act Against ICE Facility Amid Growing Opposition to Deportations
Portland’s elected leaders are facing mounting pressure from activists to take decisive action against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), specifically targeting a conditional land use decision that permits ICE to operate a small detention facility in the South Waterfront area. With rising protests following President Trump’s tougher immigration policies, demonstrators are rallying for the Portland City Council to “revoke” this decision. An online petition has garnered nearly 17,000 signatures, and recent public hearings have seen impassioned calls for action, with protesters chanting “ICE out!” during a council meeting last week.
However, city officials warn that the path to shutting down the facility is complex. In discussions with The Oregonian/OregonLive, council members expressed concerns that dismantling the facility might harm the very immigrants advocates aim to support. The detention center has been operational since 2011, after city officials approved its establishment, following an earlier rejection that highlighted safety concerns.
The process for reconsidering this land use decision is bureaucratically intricate, as outlined by deputy city administrators. A formal complaint must first be submitted, which, as of now, has not occurred. Any alleged violations of the facility’s operating conditions would necessitate an investigation, and if found, corrections would be required from the property owner, not ICE.
Councilor Angelita Morillo, who supports the movement against ICE, reflected on the complexities of bureaucracy in city governance, cautioning against hasty actions that might destabilize support systems for affected immigrants. Despite the challenging land-use regulations, advocates like Natalie Lerner remain committed to assisting the community as needed.
As the debate continues, Portland’s decision on ICE remains a pivotal issue in the ongoing national discourse on immigration and human rights.
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