Hillsboro, OR. — The Hillsboro City Council held a special work session on November 24 to continue shaping the city’s response to federal immigration enforcement activities by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. The session focused on finalizing a framework developed over several meetings using input from councilors, city staff, community-based organizations, and public testimony.
City leaders unanimously agreed on a plan organized around five focus areas: internal City processes, funding support, community partnerships, state and federal advocacy, and the potential declaration of a local emergency. The plan is intended to address concerns raised by families, workers, and small businesses affected by ongoing enforcement actions.
Among the adopted actions, the Council directed staff to advocate for policy changes at the state and federal levels, including a possible statewide emergency declaration. The plan also calls for increasing community-focused funding; establishing a grant program for small businesses impacted by ICE operations; expanding access to utility assistance; and coordinating with the Hillsboro School District to support online learning and students facing housing instability.
The city will create a community advisory committee and increase engagement with community-based organizations, including regular meetings involving City administration and Hillsboro Police Department leadership. Additional measures include expanding Know-Your-Rights information on the City’s website, posting signage in City facilities clarifying public and private areas, and pausing the use of automated license plate readers until a fuller review is completed.
City staff noted that ICE may not follow City-adopted rules or respect facility signage, cautioning community members not to assume guaranteed protection based on City policies alone.
Councilors also asked staff to return with options for further potential initiatives, including creating an office dedicated to immigration and human rights issues, strengthening sanctuary provisions in City code, and identifying additional rent-relief strategies for affected residents and businesses.
City officials reiterated that the Hillsboro Police Department responds to every call for service and that all interactions between City employees and federal immigration officials must be documented across every department. The City also plans to develop additional staff training on ICE interactions and to make its materials and policies available to other local governments seeking to build their own response frameworks.
The council’s next steps include refining the proposed actions, reviewing new policy options, and determining whether a local emergency declaration is warranted as federal enforcement activity continues.
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