By Laura Swanson, Editor
Saturday November 8th was a warm, beautiful Autumn day on the North Oregon Coast, but a got a chill when I started getting messages about ICE being in Clatsop County. Soon videos of the incident were circulating as well as photos of the vehicles and that they were headed south. Warnings were issued for the safety of vulnerable populations; and the social media comments began. “Well if they are here legally, they don’t have anything to worry about.” Do people have any idea about the process to become a citizen? The cost and time it takes? But, if your skin color is different or your name, that’ s not the case. ICE had been indiscriminately abducting people, many legal U.S. citizens that have disappeared.
Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained five people without due process – “illegal” immigration is a misdemeanor, and most of these people are following the immigration process. We called it abductions, more politically-correct “detentions”, bottom line people taken away, disappeared without being charged or allowed due process.
The Pioneer shared this warning on social media:
Then this comment on the post, “They drove through ——— and made a visit at a local family’s house, but everyone is safe.” This was a few miles from my home – it’s a small community and it didn’t take long to identify the family, and by the way, they are people of color. This is why we aren’t sharing the location. That’s in my backyard. For all the people watching from the sidelines, thinking “it won’t happen here” – IT’S HAPPENING HERE.
For those people that think ICE is “just doing their job” and are cheering these disappearances this is not legal. As one comment noted, “We have a responsibility to protect our friends and neighbors. Please don’t look the other way or remain silent.”
Our local communities have developed communications to identify ICE, issue warnings and to keep everyone safe. The more people that are aware, and notice vehicles with odd license plates, or no plates – that photograph or videotape these situations, it provides evidence. It gives we the people some power over these illegal takings. #FactsnotFear
There are local warning systems, regional and statewide reporting networks. If you or someone you know has witnessed ICE in Tillamook County, report to the Tillamook County Pioneer – editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net, and we will notify the local network.
OR contact the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition (PIRC) Hotline 1-888-622-1510 as experienced an exponential rise in reports during the last week. Please continue to CALL the hotline with any urgent concerns:
- You are witnessing ICE presence (suspected or confirmed)
- You have witnessed or have information about an ICE detention
- You’re looking for a missing loved one
Please TEXT the hotline with nonurgent issues:
- Questions about accessing non urgent resources (as long as it isn’t needed within the next 24 hours).
- Photos of possible ICE sightings, license plates, etc If urgent please call first before sending text messages
PIRC has a great protocol for reports – think CLEAR:
C – Count the number of ICE agents
L – Location – provide street, cross streets, town
E – Equipment – type of vehicle, color, license plate, uniforms
A – Activity – checking IDs
R – Report time/date, other details
If there is violence or you’re in danger or someone else is, always call 911. Local police have NOT been participating in these takings, honoring Oregon’s Sanctuary Laws.
We are all stronger together, and everyone should feel safe in our communities. The Pioneer does not fear the threat of retaliation from reporting ICE activity or for notifying the community of their locations. #FactsNotFear