#ICE Meeting At Hillsboro City Hall Tuesday Night To Discuss Growing Crisis

Oregon is a Blue state, and Portland has become the face of the current immigration policies being promoted by the White House.  The National and local news cycles have been filled with scenes from the ICE facility in Portland and of protestors being arrested, tear-gassed, and confronted.  While those scenes play out, suburban communities have seen a rise in actual arrests. Hillsboro, Oregon, has a Latino/Hispanic population of approximately 25%, or around 30,000 residents. The non-white population is over 50% making the growing tech community the most diverse place in the State.  Over the past few weeks, arrests and confrontations have escalated, and recent incidents have brought the situation to a head.  Residents and community leaders are discussing and calling for action, which will heat up this Tuesday night at City Hall.

Here Is The Info from the City website:

Tues Nov 4 at 6:00 PM

Hillsboro Civic Center

Mayor and council to discuss options for city response to ICE!

Council meeting with public comment to immediately follow.

This past week, the community:

• Held a large protest demanding the release of beloved local man Victor Cruz.
• Saw multiple arrests by ICE of residents- many spilling onto social media.
• Teachers and Parents organized around Poynter Middle School to communicate from street corners as to the presence of ICE,
• Saw the video of two girls being maced with bear spray by an ICE agent, with the poster claiming local authorities watched.
• Just this AM, three arrests were reported across social media.
• The rise of Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/alertas.ice

The video of the two girls in downtown Hillsboro is quite disturbing.  They are filming ICE officers from a reasonable distance when the officers approach them and enter their personal bubble.  Words are exchanged as the girls film when suddenly an ICE agent pulls a massive can of bear mace at point-blank range and delivers a blast to their faces as onlookers watch.  There are several versions of this video circulating, and in one of them, three or four Hillsboro Police officers appear to be standing on the sidewalk.  Many feel this aggressive blast by the ICE agent was an assault and that action should have been taken.  This writer, among others, is asking for all the facts to come out.  Having said that, ask yourself, what would the outcome have been if these young ladies were white?  Yes, a different story for sure.  

In the Video below, Mayor Beach Pace advises residents to document ICE activity and to film as well, with a mention of doing so at a safe distance.  At issue will be whether the filming the Mayor advises is safe to do, and if so, how it should be done.  Her message, along with HPD Chief Coleman, was calming and informational- designed to protect the people of Hillsboro.  However, many are questioning why local law enforcement is doing nothing – calls for ICE to at least be approached and verified regarding their badges, identity, and rightful warrants.  There are a variety of warrants being issued these days, and some have more legal basis than others.  Also at issue is the practice of racial profiling, illegal stops and tactics, surveillance, etc..

Also, the City posted this on their social media pages:

We know there is fear and concern in our community about federal immigration enforcement activities. Many are afraid to go to work, go to school, access crucial resources, or simply live their lives. We cannot prevent federal immigration enforcement, but we want everyone to feel safe and know they have support.

• Know your rights: SOAR Immigration Legal Services
• Get help: Call PIRC (Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition) at 1-888-622-1510
• Document safely from a distance
• Call HPD for public safety concerns: 911 (emergency) or 503-629-0111 (non-emergency)
• Know what it means to be a sanctuary city

As a sanctuary city, the Hillsboro Police Department does NOT coordinate with ICE or enforce immigration law. HPD is committed to serving and protecting everyone.

Chief Coleman has made an updated statement here which residents should read to know where HPD and the City currently stand:

https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/Home/Components/News/News/16945/

Our public officials are in the most challenging position that any have ever faced.  We support them and ask them to stand up and step up in any way and every way they can during these trying times.

The Herald is attempting to report responsibly on the fact that the daily lives, economics, and livability of Hillsboro and Washington County residents have now been significantly impacted.  Children and families are now suffering.  Stores and restaurants are losing business.  People are on edge and being advised to carry proof of identity and citizenship at all times.  Those things need to be combated and discussed at every level.  This must not become the new normal, and it is inspiring to see many residents standing up – Teachers and Teens are now leading the way.  

There are many resources and advice provided at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/pdximmigrantrights