KTVZ
(Update: Adding video)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Led by Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, a coalition of more than a dozen Oregon mayors – including Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler – issued a joint letter Monday rejecting any attempt to federally militarize the Portland metro area – and announcing coordinated regional action to protect civil rights, public safety, and community trust.
Here’s the full news release from the city of Portland and the mayors’ joint statement:
The coalition affirms that “enforcement of civil immigration laws by militarized forces has no legitimate role in our community” and pledges to pursue legal, legislative, and administrative options to prevent militarized federal actions that could infringe on constitutional rights.
Mayors who signed onto the letter represent many of Portland’s suburbs, as well as the cities of Eugene, where the University of Oregon is located, and Bend in Central Oregon.
“I am grateful for the coalition of mayors across Oregon standing with Portland to reject the unprecedented militarization of law and immigration enforcement,” said Wilson, who has generated national attention as Portland becomes the latest flashpoint in the federal government’s attempt to militarize U.S. cities. “We will pursue all legal and legislative options to prevent militarized federal actions that could violate constitutional rights and undermine public safety grounded in prevention, equity, and community trust.”
Key points from the mayors’ letter include:
Rejecting militarization: “We reject the unprecedented militarization of law and immigration enforcement,” the mayors declared.
No local role for militarized immigration enforcement: The letter states that such enforcement “has no legitimate role in our community.”
Legal action and refusal to provide support: The mayors “commit to pursuing all legal and legislative options” and “will use all legal tools at our disposal to deny our jurisdictions’ personnel, equipment, facilities, and resources from any participation or support of militarized federal actions…”
Regional coordination and transparency: The coalition will create and share legal resources, coordinate with local governments and community partners, use the Freedom of Information Act to shed light on federal immigration activity, and seek independent observers to monitor federal action.
Operational standards and equity focus: The mayors demand that federal law enforcement meet or exceed local standards for officer identification, body-worn cameras, chemical munitions, and use-of-force, and note that militarization disproportionately harms historically marginalized groups.
Joint-Statement-Rejecting-Federally-Militarized-Law-Enforcement_0 (1)Download
Statements from participating Oregon mayors
Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty
“As someone who served in combat in Iraq, I know what a war zone looks like. Portland is not one. Real public safety is built on trust, not tanks. When you bring military equipment into city streets, you don’t protect people, you alienate them. Mayors are the boots-on-the-ground leaders closest to our communities. Our communities need leaders who show up, listen, and bring residents together to solve real problems—not distant federal officials who treat cities like enemy territory and drive us further apart.”
Wilsonville Mayor Shawn O’Neil
“Real public safety requires state and local leadership, trust, and a firm commitment to upholding constitutional rights. Federal militarization erodes those principles and endangers all of us, most especially historically marginalized communities.”
Wood Village Mayor Jairo Rios-Campos
“As the mayor of the City of Wood Village, I stand firmly with my fellow Mayors and residents, rejecting the militarization of immigration enforcement, which threatens the safety, trust, and dignity of our community. We will not allow local resources to be used in support of federal actions that violate our values and disproportionately harm historically marginalized groups.”
Forest Grove Mayor Malynda Wenzl
“As Mayor of Forest Grove, I stand firmly against the presence of federal agents in our region—their actions threaten the rights of our residents and the values and safety of our community.”
West Linn Mayor Rory Bialostosky
“Portland is the lifeblood of our collective region, and the City under Mayor Wilson’s leadership has turned the corner in its recovery after the pandemic—the last thing Portland needs right now are troops on the ground creating the possibility of confrontation. As a frequent Portland commuter and lifelong Oregonian, I stand with Mayor Wilson against the unnecessary militarization of our region.”
Tualatin Mayor Frank Bubenik
“Federal militarization doesn’t enhance safety in peaceful areas—it creates problems where none existed. It inflames tensions, undermines local authority, and threatens the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens to assemble, speak freely, and express their views.”
Lake Oswego Mayor Joe Buck
“The strength of our communities lies in resilient neighbors looking out for one another. The Federal Government may command troops, but the Portland region stands united to command its own destiny bound by justice, freedom and the law.”
Gladstone Mayor Michael Milch
“The greater Portland area that we serve is a welcoming place of opportunity, hope, and understanding—a community that cares about one another and that will stand by one another even in the most trying times. We want everyone in our communities, no matter their immigration status, to be treated with the dignity, humanity, and respect that they deserve.”
Milwaukie Mayor Lisa Batey
“In the same way that our communities stand together today, we work together every day to address the needs of our unsheltered population and to forge a safer community for people of color, immigrants and other marginalized groups. Sending military personnel to the Portland area will make us all feel less safe and will harm our economy just as the tariffs and other federal actions weaken the economy nationally. There is absolutely no legitimate purpose to sending in federal forces.”
Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson
“Oregonians do not want or need federal troops deployed in our cities—in Portland, or anywhere else. There is no emergency, no insurrection, and no disaster taking place in Portland. In Eugene and in cities across Oregon, we remain committed to serving our communities, upholding the Constitution and defending our laws, and we will stick together.”
The City of Portland has a long history of partnership with the federal government. That’s getting tougher, as the White House issues orders that clash with our values – and the law. Learn how Portland is standing up for our community while we work with federal partners at Portland.gov/Federal.
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