Sheriff briefs commissioners on unmarked ICE activity and community concerns
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Summary
Clatsop County Sheriff described instances of ICE operating in unmarked vehicles and without identifiable markings, leading to community fear and 911 calls; sheriff and commissioners discussed documentation and limited local remedies.
Sheriff Matt Phillips briefed the Clatsop County Board about recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that have caused concern locally, saying sheriffs across the state raised similar issues during a meeting with ICE leadership in Seattle.
"We've had instances where someone was released from a jail and tackled by several people that were not wearing any identifying federal agency markings," Phillips said, describing actions that led deputies and members of the public to call 911. He added that ICE field staff in the region sometimes operate in plain clothes or unmarked vehicles, and that local law enforcement often is not notified in advance.
Phillips said county sheriffs had an "unproductive" conversation with ICE leadership and urged commissioners to document incidents. "Potentially the best thing we could do is be good observers and document and report things," he said. Commissioners discussed options including pursuing legislative remedies to require identifiable markings and cautioned that federal law enforcement operates under different authorities than local agencies.
The sheriff advised residents to keep distance during enforcement actions and said recording in a public place is legal, but that individuals must evaluate risks. "It is perfectly legal to record in a public setting," Phillips said, adding that citizens should assess whether continuing to film is safe.
Why it matters: Unannounced or unmarked federal enforcement actions can generate public fear, bystanders’ safety risks, and strain relationships between federal and local law enforcement. Commissioners asked the sheriff to help frame possible legislative requests and to continue documentation.
Next steps: Commissioners said they would consider working through state lobby channels and consult the sheriff before proposing specific legislative language; sheriff’s office to continue documenting incidents and forwarding evidence to federal partners when appropriate.
