The Portland City Council on Oct. 15 adopted a multi-part package to resist federal militarization and harden city protections for immigrants, passing a resolution that creates a Protect Portland initiative and an ordinance that codifies sanctuary-city protections into city law.

What the council approved: The Protect Portland resolution directs the mayor and the city administrator to set up a coordinated framework to respond to threats of federal overreach, including (but not limited to) the deployment of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or militarized immigration enforcement. The measure directs the administration to:
- Establish a Protect Portland initiative that coordinates across city bureaus, Multnomah County, state agencies and community partners;
- Create immigrant-affairs liaisons in each service area and a public-facing Protect Portland information hub;
- Strengthen rapid-response networks and require transparent reporting on federal operations affecting city property or staff.

The council also passed an ordinance that puts sanctuary-city protections into the Portland City Code. The ordinance does several things: it prohibits city employees and contractors from participating in immigration enforcement beyond what federal or state law requires; it requires city bureaus to document and report any federal enforcement activity involving city property or staff; it directs the Portland Police Bureau to create clear protocols for interactions with federal agents and to prohibit deputization or joint immigration operations except as legally required. The ordinance was amended on the floor to include reporting on Freedom of Information Act requests and to ensure signage and protections apply in city-owned and leased spaces. Council added an emergency clause to make the ordinance effective immediately; the final vote passed 12–0.

Why it matters: The package was framed by sponsors as a defense of constitutional rights and local control after an uptick in federal immigration enforcement activity around the city. Testimony and a large public turnout emphasized fear among immigrants, calls for immediate action to stop detentions and “sweeps,” and requests that the city pursue all lawful means to protect residents, visitors and staff.

Who spoke for and against: Councilor Avalos introduced the Protect Portland resolution and thanked community partners and the mayor for early administrative steps. Councilor Kunal led the ordinance introduction, and Council President and other councilors provided support; Mayor Wilson and Deputy City Attorney Rob Yamachika participated in legal briefings to council. Community speakers in support included Mercedes Elizalde of Latino Network, Ryan Sotomayor of Laborers Local 43, Reverend Allison Miller, representatives of the ACLU of Oregon (Jessica Maravilla) and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (Frank So), education and labor groups, and numerous Portland residents. Veterans and faith leaders also testified in favor. A small number of speakers opposed aspects of the measures; one speaker in public comment urged stronger enforcement of immigration law rather than sanctuary policies.

Selected council actions and votes: The council approved the Protect Portland resolution 12–0. The sanctuary-city ordinance passed with the emergency clause (requiring 9 votes) and final passage by a recorded vote of 12–0. Several friendly amendments were adopted on the floor, including: changing references from “residents” to “residents and visitors,” adding reporting language to summarize Freedom of Information Act requests related to immigration enforcement and responses, and adding leased spaces to required signage in city facilities.

Implementation details: The ordinance directs the mayor’s office, city administrator and city attorney to develop implementation steps including:
- Employee protections and trainings on how staff should respond to federal enforcement requests;
- A public information hub with know-your-rights materials in multiple languages;
- Quarterly reports to council and annual summaries that will include FOIA request summaries about immigration enforcement activity and the city’s responses; and
- Contract provisions requiring contractors to comply with sanctuary policies and to provide training and materials to workers.

Budget and legal notes: City finance staff told council that many of the training and coordination pieces were intended to be accomplished by aligning with existing training efforts and should have minimal incremental budget impact; the CFO said initial cost exposure is expected to be small but that larger implementation actions could require additional appropriations. City attorneys advised that the ordinance echoes state law protections and supplements them with operational policies; they also advised bureaus about possible interactions with charter provisions and litigation risk if federal agencies operate on city property without coordination.

Ending: Councilors framed the votes as part of a broader, ongoing effort and noted additional measures may follow. Supporters urged immediate enforcement — including calls from community activists to close the nearby ICE facility and to use all legal authorities to prevent federal militarization of the city — while city staff and councilors stressed the ordinance creates a legal and operational framework for the administration to implement those protections.