Astoria council presses staff to draft response to recent ICE activity; police describe protocols and legal limits

Councilors used new business Thursday to press staff to move quickly on a response after recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Seaside and elsewhere in Clatsop County. Councilor Mozzarella presented a preliminary draft resolution and urged a "multipronged" approach: a public statement reaffirming constitutional protections, research on local land‑use limits to prevent detention facilities within city limits, and practical steps to protect residents.

Several councilors asked staff and the city attorney to research what the city can lawfully do and to coordinate with county and regional partners. "I think there's a multipronged things that I'd like to see the city take action on," Councilor Mozzarella said, asking for both an immediate statement and follow‑up policy options.

Police Chief Kelly summarized current law and local protocols, telling council there is an Oregon statute (ORS) that constrains local cooperation with ICE: "There's an ORS that prevents us from cooperating with ICE. We can't share any information with them. We can go out on a joint operation, but if it becomes obvious that that federal agency is using that joint operation for immigration enforcement, then we have to pull away from it." Chief Kelly said local chiefs and the sheriff have discussed procedures to confirm an operation's nature, use dispatch checks, and to document interactions through body and dash cameras.

Council directed staff to work with department heads, legal counsel and county partners to draft resolution language and research actionable measures the city can take while staying within state and federal law. The council extended discussion time and asked staff to return with recommended language at the next possible meeting so the city can show swift support for residents expressing fear and uncertainty.