Hillsboro, OR. — The Hillsboro City Council unanimously declared a state of emergency on November 18, citing “unnecessary and likely unlawful” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics that city leaders say are violating residents’ constitutional rights and generating widespread fear throughout the community.
The resolution alleges ICE officers have arrested and detained individuals without due process, refused to disclose arrest reasons or locations, worn masks while declining to identify themselves, and questioned people about immigration status based on race, ethnicity, language, accent, occupation, or presence at common gathering sites such as bus stops, day-labor areas, car washes, and parking lots.
According to the declaration, these tactics have caused residents to avoid work, school, public transportation, medical care, and basic services out of fear. The Council wrote that children have been kept home from school, local businesses are suffering, and community trust in law enforcement is being undermined.
“No matter when someone has joined our community or where they have come from, every person deserves to be free of fear and intimidation and to be treated with dignity and respect,” the resolution states.
The Council reaffirmed Hillsboro’s commitment to sanctuary policies and emphasized that no City resources will be used to enforce federal immigration law. The declaration calls the City’s approach essential to “shielding residents… from fear, discrimination, and unjust enforcement practices.”
City Findings and Directives
The emergency declaration also urges a series of state and federal actions:
- An immediate end to ICE actions targeting students and families.
- Public denunciation and oversight demands from Oregon’s congressional delegation.
- Prioritization of comprehensive federal immigration reform.
- State-level steps to protect immigrant and vulnerable communities, including potential mask bans or identification requirements for federal enforcement personnel.
Within City operations, employees are directed to:
- Clearly mark non-public spaces in City buildings.
- Coordinate with community partners, immigrant rights groups, schools, businesses, faith leaders, and other municipalities.
- Participate in expanded sanctuary-related training, including Know Your Rights, reporting protocols, federal interaction roleplays, and support procedures for employees affected by federal enforcement.
- Provide resources and guidance for supervisors in cases where staff are detained.
The Council also established new reporting requirements covering employee training rates, any known federal enforcement activity on City property, potential Sanctuary Promise Act violations by City staff, and comparative sanctuary policy information from other jurisdictions. The review must incorporate feedback from employees, unions, equity experts, community leaders, nonprofits, immigrant rights organizations, and educational institutions.
Next Steps
The City Council will continue discussing emergency measures during a special work session on Monday, November 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hillsboro Civic Center. The meeting will be held in person and online, with Wordly translation services available.
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