Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Safety Ice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents describe fear after weekend ICE actions; council approves bilingual "know your rights" cards and three councilors issue joint Transgender Awareness de
Summary
Public commenters detailed fear and disrupted work after Saturday ICE activity; city staff reiterated Seaside police do not participate in routine ICE enforcement and the council agreed to make bilingual "know your rights" red cards available at City Hall; three councilors circulated a separate statement supporting Transgender Awareness Month.
Several residents told Seaside's City Council on Nov. 10 that Saturday federal immigration enforcement activity in town caused fear and disrupted employment and tourism-related work. Witnesses described arrests that they said appeared warrantless and said family members were advised to stay home for safety. "My hope is that city leaders have been talking about what happened, and the fear, disruption, and trauma it caused in our community," one speaker told the council.
City Manager Spencer and staff responded that Oregon law limits local law enforcement involvement in federal immigration enforcement and that the Seaside Police Department follows state law: police do not detain people solely for civil immigration violations, do not use local resources to assist routine federal immigration actions, and share information with federal authorities only under court order. Spencer said the police department did not know about the Saturday ICE activities until they were happening in real time and emphasized the city's role in protecting community trust.
Council action and community supports
In response to public concern, the council voted to make bilingual "know your rights" (red) cards available at City Hall and to coordinate with local organizations that already distribute the materials. The cards describe procedural rights and are available in English and Spanish; staff and community partners (Consejo Hispano and Centro Northwest, referenced by speakers) can supply them for distribution.
Separately, three councilors circulated and read a joint statement supporting Transgender Awareness Month and urging the community to affirm transgender residents; the statement was not a mayoral proclamation but a council-level expression from the signatories. Public commenters also urged the council to be transparent about municipal contacts with community organizations (for example, Consejo Hispano) and to continue outreach and follow-up.
