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Immigration enforcement and Avelo deportation flights draw public demands for city action; auditor opens probe into July 1 incident
Summary
Faith leaders, advocates and residents urged the council to defend Eugene’s sanctuary protections and to publicly condemn deportation flights and alleged police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Residents, legal advocates and faith leaders urged the Eugene City Council to publicly condemn recent immigration enforcement actions, questioned police department contacts with federal agencies and urged the city to defend its sanctuary commitments.
Dr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Ward 7 resident, said he reviewed public records of the July 1 policing activity and cited state statute language in what he described as federal immigration authority. Gordon also said the council previously passed a city ordinance providing protections for residents and said police communications with Homeland Security during an immigration enforcement action “puts provision on existing state law in the city code.” He called for the resignation of a police commissioner he said had been dismissive of public concerns and for the police chief to apologize publicly.
Several other speakers, including organizers with oyster and immigrant‑support networks and faith leaders, warned that collaboration or information sharing with federal immigration enforcement undermines the city’s sanctuary commitments and harms immigrant communities. Anne Bridgeman presented a petition of nearly 1,000 signatures asking council members to condemn Avelo Airlines for transporting deportation flights and said she would like an explicit public statement from the council. Avelo announced the company will cease serving Eugene on Dec. 1; Bridgeman asked the council to speak out for the remaining months the airline operates in Eugene.
Councilor Yeh told the meeting that the police auditor has already “opened, an investigation” into complaints about the July 1 events and that the auditor will report back to council. Council members expressed support for sanctuary‑oriented protections and cited prior council resolutions and ordinances affirming the city’s stance. Several speakers asked the mayor and council to issue public statements; councilors said they would continue to examine the matter pending the auditor’s findings and other available records.
No formal disciplinary action or votes were recorded at the July 14 session; the auditor’s investigation and any staff or council responses are expected to proceed through the city’s investigatory and public‑record processes.
