Concerns Rise Over Sanctuary Law Violations Following ICE Operations in Oregon
Officials from the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the arrest of two men on Oregon’s north coast and the pepper-spraying of an Astoria woman on June 7. The operation has sparked significant concerns regarding potential violations of Oregon’s sanctuary law, which protects undocumented immigrants from certain immigration enforcement actions.
In a statement dated June 11, an ICE spokesperson defended the agency’s actions, attributing concerns over the operation to “legal ignorance” and asserting that ICE has the authority to execute such arrests legally.
Officials at the Port of Astoria say ICE agents may have used the presence of the USNS Watkins at Pier 1 to carry out immigration enforcement on port property, a move that local activists and immigrant advocacy groups say violates Oregon’s sanctuary law.
Katie Frankowitz / KMUN
The spokesperson elaborated that ICE officers rely on ‘reasonable suspicion’ to investigate immigration status and ‘probable cause’ to ensure arrests comply with the Fourth Amendment. The operation specifically targeted Marco Antonio Mendoza-Cesar, a 53-year-old Venezuelan who entered the United States illegally in 2022 and faced deportation following an immigration judge’s order last April.
ICE also detained Gerardo Sanchez Lopez, a Seaside resident who arrived in the U.S. as a teenager and has lived here for nearly 30 years, owning multiple businesses in Clatsop County. He is currently being held at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, facing removal proceedings. Friends and relatives, including his best friend Cynthia, describe Sanchez Lopez as a hardworking individual who has been supportive of his family, including an adult son with mental health challenges.
Cynthia shared her distress over the situation during an interview, expressing uncertainty about the future now that Sanchez Lopez is in custody. She recounted the tense moments leading up to his arrest, revealing that he had noticed he was being followed while driving from Seaside to Astoria. Shortly afterward, several vehicles operated by ICE agents surrounded him, capturing him near El Tapatio restaurant.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
During the arrest, ICE reported that their vehicles were subsequently surrounded by a group of individuals, whom they described as “rioters,” leading to the use of pepper spray against an Astoria woman. The agency maintained this was necessary to ensure the safety of federal law enforcement officers and their ability to depart the scene.
However, these claims have been challenged. KMUN’s review of video footage from the event showed no evidence of obstruction against ICE vehicles, and numerous bystanders suggest that accounts differed sharply from the official narrative. One video captured the moment an ICE officer allegedly pepper-sprayed a woman who approached their vehicle after it stopped at a red light during its departure.
Cynthia, who was driving behind the ICE vehicle at the time, witnessed the incident and expressed her outrage, having honked her horn in protest. “What do you say to the people in the car? They rolled down their windows only to get sprayed,” she remarked, emphasizing the chaos and confusion that ensued.
Port Officials Address ICE’s Use of Facilities
The discussion regarding the use of port property during ICE’s operation on June 7 will be a key agenda item at the upcoming Astoria Port Commission meeting on June 16. Port representatives stated they were unaware of ICE’s activities in Clatsop County that day, asserting that port leadership did not grant permission for the agency to utilize port facilities.
Commissioner Dirk Roone expressed concerns that ICE may have exploited the presence of a U.S. Navy ship anchored at Pier 1, as this fenced area is considered federally controlled. Meanwhile, the Oregon Attorney General’s Office has reported receiving multiple calls from local residents alarmed by the incident and questioning whether ICE was authorized to operate on port premises.
Oregon’s sanctuary law strictly prohibits collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies in immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. While no formal complaints have been lodged regarding the June 7 operation, an investigation letter will be sent to the port as a standard procedural measure.
The recent arrests mark a significant resumption of ICE operations along the North Coast, following a period of relative inactivity. Similar enforcement actions in late 2022 had seen a number of arrests, yet specific details regarding those apprehended and their immigration status were not disclosed at the time. At least one individual was subsequently released back into the local community in Clatsop County.
