Teen Pleads for Action Against ICE Operations at Hillsboro Meeting

A 16-year-old from Hillsboro, Oregon, delivered a heartfelt plea at a recent city council meeting, urging local leaders to take action against the federal immigration policies that have left his community in fear. The teenager, known as Manny, spoke about the anxiety he experiences daily regarding the possibility of being separated from his parents due to the enforcement actions of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.

Manny’s testimony resonated with many during the three-hour public meeting, where residents expressed their concerns about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the area. “I just want to tell you guys that I’m scared for my parents to walk out the house because I might not be able to say goodbye to them if they go to work,” he stated. His comments reflect a growing unease among families in Hillsboro, especially in the wake of reports indicating that at least 135 individuals have been arrested by ICE since the agency intensified its presence in the region.

Community Voices Concerns Over ICE Actions

The Portland Immigration Rights Coalition highlighted the impact of ICE’s activities in Washington County, which has the highest diversity in Oregon. In response to the increasing number of arrests, the county declared a state of emergency this week, allowing officials to allocate $200,000 in contingency funds to assist community organizations supporting those affected by these enforcement actions.

Manny was not alone in his concerns. Other residents echoed his sentiments, expressing fear for their children’s safety as ICE operations continue. Juan Pedro Moreno Olmeda, a soccer coach at Hillsboro High School, shared the emotional toll on students in the community. He revealed that some of his players had lost family members to ICE, stating, “We recently had one of our teammates lose a father and two uncles, and another lose their older brother; they were taken by ICE.” The repercussions of these arrests extend beyond families, impacting children’s education and emotional well-being.

Calls for Local Action Against Federal Enforcement

During the meeting, residents urged the Hillsboro City Council to adopt measures to safeguard the community. Manny implored the councilors to take a stand, emphasizing the need for local police to protect residents from ICE actions. “I might not ever be able to say bye or see [my parents] again if you guys don’t side with us,” he declared. His statement, which quickly gained traction on social media, underscored the urgency for local leaders to act.

Despite Hillsboro’s designation as a sanctuary city, where local police do not collaborate with federal immigration enforcement, Mayor Beach Pace and Police Chief Jim Coleman clarified last month that local authorities are limited in their ability to intervene with ICE operations, stating that they cannot assist or protect individuals from federal arrests.

Residents like Sandra Nuñez-Smith shared personal stories of trauma stemming from ICE actions. She recounted the arrest of her brother, who was taken into custody in front of his stepson due to what she described as a paperwork error. “He was not given his rights or due process, and no effort was made to investigate the current status of his case,” she explained to council members.

Former Washington County sheriff’s deputy Red Wortham emphasized the need for police to document incidents involving ICE arrests, highlighting the importance of accountability and community safety. “It is a significant failure of law enforcement to ignore calls about terrifying, dangerous, armed takeovers of cars, businesses, and people by seemingly private armed thugs in masks,” he asserted.

As the Hillsboro community grapples with the implications of federal immigration policies, the voices of residents like Manny continue to shape the dialogue surrounding safety, rights, and the future of their families. Their testimonies reflect a broader concern about the impact of immigration enforcement on the fabric of local communities, calling for a balanced approach that prioritizes both safety and the dignity of all residents.