Panic Fueled by False Online Claims
PORTLAND, Ore. — Social media misinformation sparked fear and outrage across Portland this week after several influencers falsely claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting operations at Randall Children’s Hospital.
On Monday night, posts circulated widely across multiple platforms alleging that ICE agents were attempting to enter the hospital through the emergency room doors. Some users claimed the agents were denied entry by hospital security, while others shared a photo that appeared to show law enforcement officers inside the facility. The image, stamped with an influencer’s username, quickly went viral.
“Horrific and despicable actions,” one user commented. Another added, “These people have no souls.”
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The posts triggered hundreds of comments and reposts condemning the supposed incident. Some even included the hospital’s address, calling for public action. But according to officials, none of it was true.
Legacy Health Confirms the Claims Were False
A spokesperson for Legacy Health, which operates Randall Children’s Hospital, said the circulating photo did not show federal agents but rather the hospital’s own security staff. The hospital confirmed that there had been no ICE raid or law enforcement confrontation at the facility on Monday.
The false claims coincided with heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in Portland, where reports of federal activity have already made immigrant communities anxious.
ICE Responds: No Raid Took Place
When contacted by KOIN 6 News, a spokesperson for ICE firmly denied that any enforcement operation had taken place at the hospital.
“This was absolutely not a law enforcement operation,” the ICE spokesperson wrote in an email. “Whoever reported ICE at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, should have accurately observed ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers prioritizing the care and safety of an individual in their custody. The federal officers transported a subject to the emergency room to ensure necessary medical attention was received. ICE remains committed to the welfare of those in its care.”
The spokesperson declined to identify the person who was transported or to say whether the individual was a child. While Randall Children’s Hospital shares a location with an emergency department for adults, the patient was reportedly brought in for medical care only, not as part of an enforcement action. ICE also would not clarify whether the person had been injured during an arrest.
Immigrant Advocates Urge Responsible Reporting
At a Wednesday morning press conference, Isa Peña, director of strategy for Innovation Law Lab, addressed the growing concern but stopped short of directly condemning the influencers spreading misinformation.
“What we can share is that ICE has been in hospitals,” Peña said, referring to cases where individuals in federal custody required medical treatment. “We have seen multiple people taken to hospitals by ICE because of the violent actions they have taken during detentions.”
Peña added that Oregonians have the legal right to record and document ICE and police activity as long as they do not interfere with law enforcement operations. “Our guidance is to document and help provide evidence without obstructing federal agents,” she said.
Lawmakers and Law Enforcement Push Back Against Rumors
The false ICE report was not the only piece of misinformation circulating this week. Oregon State Representative Ricki Ruiz, who represents much of Gresham, addressed the issue directly on Facebook.
“Right now, many of our neighbors are already feeling anxious,” Ruiz wrote. “If you see a post that sounds alarming but isn’t from an official source or trusted community organization, pause before sharing.”
He included a graphic showing a fake post from an anonymous user who claimed to know a Sheriff’s Office contact saying deputies had been ordered to assist ICE. Ruiz marked the post with a large red X and the word “UNVERIFIED.”
Officials from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to KOIN 6 News that the rumor was completely false. “Our deputies have not been instructed to assist ICE,” a spokesperson said.
Oregon’s Sanctuary Law Still Protects Immigrants
Oregon has one of the country’s longest-standing sanctuary laws, first enacted in 1987 and strengthened in 2020. The law prohibits state and local law enforcement from using resources to enforce federal immigration laws or assist ICE with deportations.
While the federal government has increased pressure on so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, the Oregon statute remains unchanged. However, several counties have requested additional guidance on how to comply with both state and federal expectations amid growing political tension.
The Real-World Consequences of Misinformation
The viral false reports about ICE at Randall Children’s Hospital highlight how quickly misinformation can spread and create fear—especially within immigrant communities already wary of federal enforcement.
Advocates and lawmakers are urging residents to verify claims before reposting alarming content online. Officials recommend relying only on credible sources, such as official agency statements or trusted local news outlets.
As the situation in Portland continues to evolve, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical role social media users play in maintaining public trust—and how easily false claims can spark unnecessary panic when accuracy is ignored.
