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Heated public comments at Newberg council meeting spotlight immigration fears and local limits of authority
Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to publicly support immigrant neighbors and to address fears about ICE activity; other speakers said immigration enforcement is a federal matter and defended police, creating a sharp public exchange during the Dec. 15 meeting.
At the Newberg City Council meeting on Dec. 15, multiple public commenters pressed the council to respond publicly to community fears about immigration enforcement and to acknowledge the vulnerability of immigrant residents.
Sonda Martin began the public-comment period by criticizing the council for failing to “make a statement that the city supports the immigrant community” and for not reaching out to people who had spoken previously. Martin said the council’s inaction left many residents feeling fearful: “You all sit there and you refuse to acknowledge and address…
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