Weekly Updates

50 detentions reported between 12/8 and 12/14 (53 that occurred in those dates)

By County

• 16 in Multnomah County

  
  

• 28 in Washington County

  
  

• Clark, Yamhill, Marion, Clatsop and Clackamas also reported detentions.

  
  

• ICE returned to the same location multiple days this week in Forest Grove.

  
  

• We received multiple reports of a rumored detention center at 162 and Division in Portland, and have verified that this is NOT true.

  
  

• What IS true is that the pattern of multiple ICE agents and vehicles congregating behind businesses and in public parking lots to coordinate.

  
  

• If you see this behavior on private property and you are teh business/apartment manager, YOU CAN ASK THEM TO LEAVE!

  
  

• We are also seeing an alarming new tactic of what appears to be ICE agents misrepresenting themselves as utility workers.

  
  

What to Look for in a Real Utilities Worker:

• Vehicles: Official trucks with logos and flashing lights.

  
  

• Clothing: Uniforms, hats, or high visibility vests with the company logo.

  
  

• Prior Contact: You should have received a call, email, or door hanger about the visit.

  
  

• ID: A photo ID badge with the company logo.

  
  

What to Do If Unsure:

• Don't Open the Door: If you're suspicious, keep the door closed and speak through it or a window.

  
  

• Ask for ID: Request to see their photo ID and badge.

  
  

• Verify by Calling: Call the company directly (use the number on their official site, not one given by the visitor) to confirm the visit and the worker's identity.

  
  

As we arrive at the literal darkest time of the year, we know many are thinking of ways to organize their time and treasure to support those who have had the worst year of their lives due to the detention of a loved one. The Direct Service committee of the Deportation Defense Coalition supports families in creating GoFundMe's post detention to fundraise for rent and necessities that a family has when their loved one is whisked away.

Find a link to learn more about all the families you can give directly to through our LinkTree!

• 81 detentions were reported to the hotline between 11/17 - 11/23

  
  

• That brings the monthly reported detentions for November thus far to 304

  
  

• On 11/19, there was very high immigration enforcement activity in Lane County. 

  
  

• There was also higher than normal ICE and BP presence in Clackamas county, in places like Milwaukie, Canby, and Oregon City on 11/20. 

  
  

• On 11/22, a number of Oregonians were detained in Washington, in the Vancouver & Longview areas. 

  
  

• Detentions were also reported throughout the week in Portland, McMinnville, Newberg, Gresham, Tigard, Beaverton, Cornelius, and Hillsboro. 

  
  

• ICE & Border Patrol continue to racially profile and attempt to criminalize solidarity work. Four US Citizens were detained this past week - two were collateral immigration arrests and two were targeted for observing and filming ICE & BP.

  
  

• If you are in SW Washington, you can call LULAC’s hotline for support: 503-388-5356. In the rest of Washington state, call WAISN: 844-724-3737. 

  
  

• Join the campaign to urge cities across Oregon to turn off their Flock cameras! We know that immigration enforcement agents are using surveillance technology, including databases and license plate readers and similar, to target our communities. Check out the work led by our partners at ACLU of Oregon (@aclu_org) and Latinos Unidos Siempre (@lusyouth) to take action.

  
  

“I got my first ice activation message this morning. I had just returned from them and was going to get my breakfast but instead I got back in my car and drove 10 minutes to the parking lot where the ice vehicle was…people just kept coming and showing up and finally the vehicle left….I’ll tell you, it was so heartwarming to see how many people just put down everything they were doing…We can do this! Together.”

One of PIRC’s closest partners is the CLEAR Clinic, a legal organization that offers criminal record expungement, tenant advocacy, gender marker & name change services, and immigration legal defense. The CLEAR Clinic co-holds our ICE legal observer program, sends rapid response attorneys to the Portland ICE Office every week, and is a critical resource for community members who reach out to PIRC. If you need free legal support in any of the areas mentioned above, check them out at clear-clinic.org.

• One possible option to consider if you feel unsafe driving right now is getting a ride from someone you trust, or taking public transportation as it is available!

  
  

• We have seen an increase in the number of suspected ICE activity near schools, causing fear and frustration for families, neighbors and staff alike. 

  
  

• Many of these schools have parents and teachers organizing already; if this is something you are interested in supporting, please coordinate with your local school community and teachers, as there may be additional support that those communities would like your support with!

  
  

Did you know that you can access free food using the Oregon Food Bank’s FoodFinder website? It’s available in many languages and you can filter based on day/time, zipcode and more! Visit https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/

DISPATCHERS EDITION!

These wonderful, generous souls dedicate hours a week to answering literal thousands of calls and messages from our neighbors. As one said: "It's simply impossible to stand by and watch this cruelty happen without doing something".

In the face of so many heartbreaking calls, one shared what sustains them in this work: "Joy lightens hte heart and builds resilience. And ew need light, resilient hearts more than ever in the midst of so much darkness".

We appreciate our dispatch team so, so much!