Portland council condemns use of unmarked federal immigration enforcement tactics, refers local response measures to committee

The Portland City Council on Sept. 15 approved a resolution condemning the use of unmarked vehicles, masked agents and unidentifiable personnel in immigration enforcement and directed staff to review proactive local response measures.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilor Regina Phillips and co-sponsored by Councilor Ali, passed by unanimous voice vote after public comment calling for stronger local protections. The council referred the resolution to the Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee to consider policies and agreements to increase transparency and protect civil rights.

The resolution says Portland is home to “a vibrant immigrant community, including many mixed-status families,” and cites regional reports of federal enforcement activity involving unmarked vehicles and agents without visible agency identification. It calls on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and related federal agencies to adopt uniform identification standards for field agents, including marked vehicles and visible badges, and requests that the city review local policies and agreements that affect transparency and public safety in immigration enforcement.

Several members of the public urged the council to act. Joey Brunell of 37 Pine Street criticized federal tactics and urged the council to use the resolution as a starting point for broader action, saying, “They show up in unmarked vehicles. They wear masks and refuse to identify themselves. They grab people, handcuff them, and take them away.” Brunell urged the council to pursue community education, standardized incident reporting and regional information sharing.

Carrie Doughty, president of the Portland Education Association, told the council that federal agents recently entered school grounds and asked for city support to ensure schools remain safe spaces for students. “Our schools should be safe places where students can focus on learning,” Doughty said. She urged the council to help protect students and families when enforcement activity occurs near schools.

The resolution also asks the committee to examine steps including monitoring and documenting enforcement activities conducted within the city, collaborating with Portland Public Schools and community organizations that work directly with affected families, and considering additional strategies to reduce confusion, mistrust and community trauma caused by opaque enforcement practices.

Councilor Lee moved the resolution with Councilor Phillips seconding. The council voted in favor by voice vote; the clerk recorded the vote as unanimous. The resolution does not itself change any local ordinance; it directs committee review and potential follow-up action.

The measure places the issue on a committee’s agenda for a closer look at local options ranging from public information campaigns to reviewing any city agreements that could affect how federal enforcement interacts with local systems. The council did not adopt any ordinance or binding change to city law as part of this vote.