Linn County, OR. — The Linn County Democrats are urging Oregon’s federal lawmakers to take immediate action to prevent the establishment of any new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in the state.
In a letter dated December 11, 2025, county party chair Ben Watts asked Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Congresswomen Janelle Bynum and Val Hoyle, to “strongly and immediately oppose” the placement of detention centers anywhere in Oregon, including along the coast. The correspondence follows public concern over reports that a potential immigration detention site was being considered at the Newport Airport.
Watts wrote that local officials and residents have been left in the dark about federal planning, describing a “complete lack of transparency from the Department of Homeland Security.” He praised Oregon’s delegation for seeking information about rumored sites but said secrecy around ICE operations deprives communities of the ability to evaluate risks or offer input.
According to the letter, party leaders fear that expanded detention operations would jeopardize the wellbeing of Oregon families and immigrant communities. Watts cited incidents in which masked ICE personnel allegedly detained parents and children in residential neighborhoods and public spaces, actions he said have already instilled fear across the state.
The letter also referenced long-standing concerns regarding conditions in existing ICE facilities nationwide, including overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and limited access to legal counsel. Watts argued that without transparency or accountability, there is no guarantee that any new Oregon facility would be operated differently.
He further warned that anonymous enforcement tactics and restricted communication undermine due-process protections. “Anonymity, deceit, and opposition to collaboration with local leadership and institutions directly oppose this principle,” Watts wrote, calling such practices “a grave threat to our way of life.”
The Linn County Democrats concluded by thanking Oregon’s congressional delegation for ongoing oversight efforts and urged them to oppose any new ICE detention proposals that may emerge in the months ahead.
About the Author
