Forest Grove codified its status as a sanctuary city Monday under Oregon's Sanctuary Promise Act, becoming only the second city in the state after Portland to adopt such a measure.
In a 6-1 vote held Monday, Jan. 12, Forest Grove city councilors finalized a measure that codifies a state law already on the books into city code. Oregon's sanctuary laws prohibit local law enforcement from aiding federal law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws.
Councilor Karen Martinez was the sole "no" vote. The council also brought back a briefly expired emergency declaration over federal immigration actions in the city, which passed with six "yes" votes and an abstention from Martinez.
Numerous community members testified in favor of the ordinance, and councilors heard the testimony of a woman who said she was assaulted and detained for several hours by ICE agents in Forest Grove.
The ordinance will require city staff to undergo training on sanctuary policies, define non-public areas and designate some city-owned spaces as non-public areas with signage, and require annual reporting on training, federal enforcement on city property, and violations of the new ordinance by city employees. Federal immigration agents are legally barred from accessing non-public spaces without a warrant, the city said.
Read the full resolution online.
The new emergency declaration expires Dec. 31, 2026, and comes with no funding this time.
Councilor Donna Gustafson said she believed federal agents were acting outside of the parameters of their job.
"Once we've got agents acting like they have the power of Judge Dredd... this is far past doing your job. This is abuse. This is kidnapping. This is assault," she said.
Martinez, who voted no, said she was concerned the move would get Forest Grove residents hurt.
"My biggest concerns are these sanctuary city and ordinances make people feel like they can stand up to ICE agents, and they can't... you can't do anything drastic against them and not get into trouble," she said. "These are federal agents who trump our local enforcement," she added.
