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Mayor says city constrained but pursuing outreach after ICE raids
Summary
Mayor Frank Lonergan told residents the city has limited local authority over federal enforcement but is coordinating with legal and consular partners and will host town halls and post incident-reporting resources.
In response to sustained public comment about recent ICE enforcement actions, Mayor Frank Lonergan said the city is limited in what it can do under federal law but described multiple outreach steps already taken.
"Our police have never worked with ICE agents. They will not work with with any ICE agents," Lonergan said, adding that city staff, the police chief and the city attorney are coordinating and that he and the city administrator have spoken with the Mexican consulate to determine what assistance can be offered. He said he had reached out to Congresswoman Salinas' office and to the state attorney general's staff to request additional resources and help organizing a town hall in Woodburn.
Lonergan and council members emphasized the narrow scope of municipal authority over federal immigration enforcement while promising to provide community resources, post incident-reporting forms on the city website and continue engagement through workshops and public meetings. Councilors who spoke at the meeting expressed sympathy for affected families and said they will keep working behind the scenes to find lawful options to support residents.
