Residents urge Washington County to declare emergency and codify sanctuary amid reported ICE activity

Dozens of residents and community leaders told the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28 that recent immigration enforcement activity in and around Beaverton and other county communities has created widespread fear and “a public safety emergency.” Speakers urged the board to declare a state of emergency, codify county-level sanctuary protections and make emergency funds available to families who have lost primary earners.

The testimony described masked people arriving in unmarked vehicles, alleged failure to present warrants, and repeated reports of detentions near schools, houses of worship and workplaces. "Our county is the most diverse county in Oregon with nearly 40% of the county identifying as non white," said Evelyn Coacher, a lifelong Beaverton resident. "This flaunting of our rights cannot be allowed to continue."

Speakers gave multiple examples they said showed a pattern of enforcement that is traumatizing families and children. "Children are…