By Romy Carver
Photos & Video by Don Backman
Senator Ron Wyden walked into the Newport High School gym last Sunday afternoon, shouted, “Hi everyone!” and was greeted by a rousing standing ovation from the over 500 people attending.
The visit comes on the heels of a Newport City Council meeting that drew a crowd of between 800-1000 people. Two issues were at the forefront of the conversation at both the city council meeting and last weekend’s town hall: the alleged proposal of an ICE detention facility at the Newport Airport, and the removal of the life-saving Coast Guard helicopter. The outcry over both issues has drawn national attention, and the New York Times was at the event.
Wyden mentioned the large turnout at both events, stating, “How great it is to be looking out at the faces of democracy!”
He reassured the crowd that he is doing all in his power to get the Coast Guard helicopter returned to Newport and to “make sure that this community is safe from the abuses of ICE.” This drew loud stomps and cheers. Wyden joins Rep. David Gomberg, the Newport City Mayor and other local and state elected officials, in bipartisan opposition to a proposed ICE facility, and support of the Coast Guard.
Wyden is sponsoring the VISIBLE Act of 2025, which would require ICE officers to wear identification and no masks, with exceptions for medical situations and undercover operations. This is based on multiple reports of people posing as ICE and kidnapping and assaulting people, and of ICE agents breaking the law with impunity. He said we need to help people to understand the abuses that are happening, and that Trump isn’t keeping his promises, such as arresting only criminals.
When asked if there is any federal interest in Pres. Bush’s amnesty program, he stated that Trump is going in the “opposite direction.”
Rep. Gomberg stated that “they snuck out the helicopter in the dead of night, and now they are trying to sneak in an ICE facility.” He said the federal government and contractors are talking to property owners and small business owners, and posting job announcements. An ICE helicopter was spotted patrolling the beach last week. A commenter noted that any individual or business supporting ICE is “cutting their own throats.”
Wyden stated that Trump is breaking his promises to the Coast Guard. He was joined by the Newport Fishermen’s Wives, who have filed a suit for the helicopter’s return to Newport. They spoke emotionally of the critical minutes after someone falls in the water before hypothermia and death sets in, and of sitting with families who lost someone in the water. As they spoke about the anticipated loss of life over Trump’s decision, they said the law is being broken. They are working with elected officials to file an injunction for the return of the helicopter in time for crabbing season.
Concerns were raised about impact on the coast, which is geographically isolated and suffers frequent storms, with the disabling of NOAA disaster notifications. Wyden said we would have to watchdog them to prevent backdoor deals. He characterized this as part of “Trump’s anti-science agenda.”
When asked about Gaza, he said that he supports humanitarian aid in the region, and a two-state solution, emphasizing that it is critical that Netanyahu is replaced.
He validated concerns expressed for Ukraine. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he affirmed that “Putin won’t stop at Ukraine.”
Locals also expressed concerns about cuts to the BLM and our forest plan. He stated that as part of “the big, not beautiful bill,” investment companies are getting the money for our forests and rural communities are paying the bill.
As a ranking member on the US Senate Committee on Finance, Wyden demanded investigations into the role that financiers have played into the Jeffrey Epstein trafficking investigation, stating that JP Morgan “looked the other way” and didn’t report over a billion suspicious transactions.
Wyden was also joined by Abril Aldama, a teenage girl whose father was detained in September. Many had seen her compelling testimony at the Newport City Council meeting the week prior about what her family is enduring, and how her father has never committed a crime. Wyden allowed her to speak at the beginning at the town hall and also at the close. She received a standing ovation and was praised for her bravery.
The Oregon Attorney General also filed a lawsuit against the federal government demanding the return of the Coast Guard helicopter.
According to reports in The Oregonian from November 26, 2025, the Coast Guard helicopter has been spotted at the Newport Airport, but ICE contractors are still inquiring about housing, looking for 200 hotel rooms for up to a year, and reviews of the Coastal Management Act — “something is going on in Newport.”
Video of Town Hall 11/23/25:
Video from meeting with local officials, Newport Fishermen’s Wives Statement: