Hillsboro City Council Declares State Of Emergency Due To Immigration Enforcement Impacts - 11/19/25
Calling out the impacts of federal immigration enforcement actions within the Hillsboro community, the Hillsboro City Council has declared a State of Emergency.
The Council unanimously adopted the resolution declaring the emergency during its meeting on November 18, 2025, while directing the City to take more actions to address the impacts of immigration enforcement in Hillsboro.
The Council will convene in a special work session to continue to the discussion on Monday, November 24, at 6:30 pm inside the Hillsboro Civic Center, Room 113 B&C. The special work session will be held in person and online via Zoom, and Wordly translation services will be available.
The Council’s emergency declaration condemns U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers’ reported and alleged conduct infringing on the constitutional rights of members of the Hillsboro community, including:
- arresting and detaining individuals without affording due process rights
- refusing to share information about the reason for an individual’s arrest or the location where an individual will be detained
- routinely wearing masks and refusing to provide identification
- questioning residents and visitors about their immigration status based on their race, ethnicity, language, accent, occupation, or presence at certain locations such as day-labor sites, bus stops, car washes, and parking lots
“The unnecessary and likely unlawful tactics being used by many federal immigration enforcement authorities have generated widespread fear in the community, which cause our residents to be fearful of leaving their homes to go to work, school, access City services, take public transportation, attend medical appointments, and other necessary daily activities, and as a result children are denied access to public education, individuals are prevented from seeking necessary healthcare, local businesses are negatively impacted, and residents are discouraged from working with law enforcement agents to report, solve and prevent minor and serious crime,” the City Council resolution declared.
“No matter when someone has joined our community or where they have come from, every person deserves to be free of fear and intimidation and to be treated with dignity and respect.”
“The City of Hillsboro reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive city and to shielding residents to the best of our ability from fear, discrimination, and unjust enforcement practices. In response to expanding federal immigration actions that threaten civil liberties and community trust, this resolution reiterates the City’s commitment to support and comply with Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Laws, and directs that City resources will not be used to enforce federal immigration laws. By adopting this resolution, Hillsboro strengthens its sanctuary measures, upholds its core values, and supports the wellbeing of all residents and visitors, especially immigrant and other vulnerable communities.”
In addition, the Council’s declaration:
- condemns ICE enforcement actions targeting students and families, and calls for an immediate end to such actions
- calls on all elected officials, including members of Congress from Oregon, to publicly denounce these unconstitutional actions, demand immediate oversight and transparency from immigration enforcement agencies, and work to ensure the rights of all individuals — regardless of immigration status — are fully protected under the Constitution
- demands that the Oregon Congressional delegation prioritize a bill at the next congressional session offering comprehensive immigration reform that aligns enforcement with our economic needs, humanitarian values, and community realities
- requests that members of the Legislature and the Governor take action to protect our immigrant and other vulnerable communities from the unlawful and unnecessary actions being taken by federal agents in the name of immigration enforcement, such as imposing a mask ban or imposing identification requirements
Additional Actions
Within the City Council’s emergency declaration resolution, City of Hillsboro employees are directed to:
- continue to identify and clearly label with signage those non-public spaces within City-owned or City-leased buildings that are not accessible to the general public, including offices and other restricted-entry areas.
- continue to coordinate with community partners and other municipalities — including immigrant rights advocates, legal services providers, educational institutions, local business owners, neighborhood leaders, and faith leaders — to develop and maintain programs for communication, outreach, and community support to address the emergency impacts of federal immigration enforcement.
- participate in trainings on City and State sanctuary policies and laws, including:
- the minimum requirements of state law
- Know Your Rights
- The Sanctuary Promise Act and how to report to the violations hotline
- How to report to appropriate immigrant rights coalitions and other agencies
- Roleplaying scenarios of different Federal Immigration Authority interactions
- How to report U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency activity and violations
- Information on how and where employees can access relevant City resources and additional learning materials
- Resources for City employees directly affected by federal immigration authority enforcement action
- Protocols for supervisors on responding if employees are detained, as well as guidance on compassionate leadership and support for employees
The Council’s declaration also requires reports to the Council regarding the implementation of the resolution, to include:
- Employee training completion rates and an evaluation of the City’s training programs
- Known Federal enforcement activity on City property and within facilities
- Known violations of the Sanctuary Promise Act by City employees
- Information on sanctuary-related policies and procedures in similar local jurisdictions
- Review and evaluation of the City’s efforts to implement this resolution that is informed by feedback from employees, equity and language subject matter experts, labor union representatives, immigration rights organizations, faith leaders, community leaders, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
Immigration Resources
For community members, resources for immigration impacts are on the City of Hillsboro website, including: