Oregon — The State of Oregon has asked a federal judge to block construction of a suspected Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility near the Newport Municipal Airport, escalating a growing legal fight over federal activity at the coastal site.
In an amended complaint filed last week, attorneys for the state sought an injunction from U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken, arguing that federal agencies are quietly advancing plans for a large-scale ICE facility while sidestepping federal environmental review and coastal land-use requirements. The filing is part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the U.S. Coast Guard’s removal of a rescue helicopter from Newport in late October.
State lawyers contend the federal government has failed to provide transparency or respond to information requests from local officials and members of Congress, forcing Oregon to reconstruct the scope of the project through contractor inquiries, public reporting, and secondhand accounts.
“Defendants have engaged in these efforts behind closed doors, with no transparency or public process,” the filing states, alleging violations of federal environmental and coastal statutes that would normally require advance notice and impact assessments.
Dan Rayfield said Oregon will not allow federal agencies to bypass state and federal law when operating in coastal communities. “The federal government has to follow the same laws everyone else does when operating in our communities,” Rayfield said.
The lawsuit follows similar legal action filed by the City of Newport, which is also asking a federal court to require compliance with environmental review laws before any ICE detention facility is constructed. Newport argues that the Coast Guard’s 1992 deed for its airport property limits the site’s use to aviation-related purposes.
Federal officials have not formally confirmed plans for an ICE facility in Newport. Representatives for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A DHS spokesperson later characterized the lawsuits as “demonizing rhetoric” from sanctuary-state politicians and said the department intends to proceed with its mission regardless of legal challenges.
The dispute is closely tied to the Coast Guard’s attempted relocation of a rescue helicopter that serves Newport’s commercial fishing fleet during the dangerous Dungeness crab season. State attorneys, a Newport-based fishing nonprofit, and Lincoln County officials previously sued over the helicopter’s removal. After a temporary court order, the Coast Guard returned the helicopter to Newport and committed to keeping it there through spring 2026.
Judge Aiken on Monday issued a broader preliminary injunction ordering the helicopter to remain at Newport Municipal Airport while litigation continues. Although Coast Guard leadership has provided written assurances to Oregon’s U.S. senators that the helicopter will stay in place for now, officials have not ruled out future changes to the Newport facility.
City leaders say the lawsuits stem from months of unanswered questions and growing concern about the scale and secrecy of the alleged federal plans.
“I am deeply concerned by recent reports suggesting that Newport may be under consideration for an ICE detention facility,” Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan said in a statement issued in November. “The well-being, safety, and values of our community are the highest priorities of myself and our City Council. We are committed to uphold fairness and dignity for all who call Newport home. Any proposal that has the potential to impact those principles deserves transparency, public input, and a thorough review of potential social and economic consequences.”
Kaplan said city staff began working with local, state, and federal partners as soon as officials were made aware of the information, including exploring what legal options may be available.
Newport City Manager Nina Vetter echoed those concerns, emphasizing coordination and communication with residents.
“City leadership has been coordinating closely with our local, state and federal representatives to gather more information and understand our rights as a city since we were made aware of this information,” Vetter said. “We are appreciative of the urgency and assistance from our representatives, and we will work alongside the Newport community. I understand that this news will have personal and professional implications for many in our community.”
According to the state’s amended complaint, ICE informed potential contractors that most detainees in Newport would be held for less than 72 hours to avoid triggering stricter federal detention standards, while simultaneously acknowledging that stays could exceed that threshold.
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