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Congresswoman Maxine Dexter visits Hood River, urges support for families affected by ICE enforcement
Summary
Rep. Maxine Dexter told the Hood River City Council her office has helped secure releases and provides bilingual caseworkers for residents affected by recent ICE activity, urged local coordination on rapid-response supports, and encouraged constituents to contact her office about pending federal bills addressing enforcement practices.
Rep. Maxine Dexter told the Hood River City Council on Monday that her office has been fielding an increase in complaints about ICE enforcement across Oregon’s 3rd District and is working directly to assist families.
Dexter, who identified herself as Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, said her office is securing releases for some individuals, conducting wellness checks, and connecting affected families with bilingual caseworkers. “These tactics are not making us safer. Instead, they're tearing families apart, fueling fear and violating our core values,” she said.
Her staff includes two bilingual caseworkers who can assist Spanish-speaking residents; Dexter offered a one‑page resource and direct office contact for anyone who needs help. Councilors asked that the caseworker contact information be shareable on the city’s website; Dexter said she would provide the office one‑pager and contact numbers and encouraged council members to distribute them to community partners.
Councilors also asked about federal bills cited during public comment and about the practical limits of moving legislation in the House. Dexter said she is cosponsoring multiple bills aimed at improving accountability for immigration enforcement — including measures to require identification for officers and to limit use of federal funds for civil enforcement — but added that many bills are not being brought to the floor for votes at this time.
She urged local officials and residents to press federal representatives and to organize constituents around priorities. “We do listen. The power of our constituents to demand better from their government is rising,” Dexter said.
The council did not take formal action on federal policy at the meeting; members used the discussion to request distribution of Dexter’s field‑office resources and to plan local outreach and coordination with nonprofits and legal service providers.
