PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is in the process of evaluating locations on the Oregon Coast for a potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, the City of Newport announced on Monday.
According to city officials, the Newport Airport has been identified as a possible location.
“City leadership is actively working with local, state, and federal legislators to verify and assess this information, its potential effects on public safety and city resources, and municipal and legal options that may be available,” the city said.
The city is holding a public meeting regarding the potential facility at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Newport City Hall.
“I am deeply concerned by recent reports suggesting that Newport may be under consideration for an ICE detention facility. The well-being, safety, and values of our community are the highest priorities of myself and our City Council. We are committed to uphold fairness and dignity for all who call Newport home. Any proposal that has the potential to impact those principles deserves transparency, public input, and a thorough review of potential social and economic consequences,” said Newport mayor Jan Kaplan.
“I understand that this news will have personal and professional implications for many in our community. I urge our community to stay informed through official City of Newport communications, including our social media channels, as we navigate this complex issue with our legislative leaders,” added Newport City Manager Nina Vetter.
City officials say they have reached out to DHS about the potential facility but haven’t received a response.
“Any unilateral decision made 3,000 miles away from Newport about using any part of this coastal community for an ICE detention facility would be both alarming and asinine,” Oregon Sen. Wyden said. “I will of course be teaming up with local and state officials to wrestle more information from the Trump administration about the prospects for such a scheme. And I very much look forward to holding my annual Lincoln County town hall in the weeks ahead to hear directly from coastal families and small businesses what they’d think about any such unwelcome and unneeded makeover of Newport.”
