PORTLAND, Ore. — In a landmark move reaffirming its identity as a sanctuary city, the Portland City Council voted unanimously, 12–0, on Wednesday to formally codify the city’s sanctuary policies and expand restrictions on local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The council’s decision came after a packed public meeting that drew dozens of residents, activists, and immigrant-rights advocates — nearly all voicing strong support for protecting the city’s immigrant community. The newly approved measures, known as the “Protect Portland Initiative” and the Sanctuary City Ordinance, make Portland’s long-standing sanctuary status legally binding for the first time and establish a clear framework for how city employees should respond to federal immigration enforcement.
A “Clear and Powerful Message”
Mayor Keith Wilson praised the decision as a defining moment for Portland’s civic values.
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“We are a proud sanctuary city in a sanctuary state, and we will continue to live our values — even when federal directives make it difficult,” Wilson said in a statement following the vote. “Tonight’s action sends a clear and powerful message that Portland stands united against federal overreach.”
The vote coincided with a federal judge’s extension of a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland — part of an ongoing legal battle between the city and the federal government over what local leaders call unconstitutional intervention.
Making Sanctuary Status Legally Enforceable
City Councilor Sameer Kanal, who introduced the new ordinance, said the goal was to transform Portland’s sanctuary stance from a symbolic policy into one backed by law.
“Tonight was the first step,” Kanal said. “We’ll continue to stand up for immigrant and Latino Portlanders, for the First Amendment, and to ensure our laws reflect our values.”
Under the new ordinance, city employees — including Portland police officers — are prohibited from assisting federal immigration agents or using city resources in support of federal immigration enforcement efforts. The policy also mandates the development of training programs and departmental guidelines to help staff navigate interactions with federal agents.
A group photo released by the City Council showed council members and community leaders celebrating inside City Hall following the vote, calling it “a victory for human rights and civic integrity.”
Strengthening Oregon’s Statewide Sanctuary Laws
Oregon has long been a pioneer in sanctuary policy. The state first adopted a statewide sanctuary law in 1987, which bars local and state law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement without a warrant. Portland’s new measures expand upon that framework, giving the city additional legal tools to resist federal interference.
The legislation also calls for the creation of a tracking and response system to monitor federal immigration raids or enforcement actions within city limits — a move advocates say will make Portland a model for other sanctuary cities nationwide.
A Flashpoint in the National Immigration Debate
Portland’s ICE facility has been a recurring site of confrontation between federal agents and protesters opposing the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The building’s exterior is covered in anti-ICE graffiti, and multiple protests have ended in violent clashes, with federal officers deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to disperse demonstrators attempting to block access to the facility.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to Portland as “war-ravaged” and accused the city of harboring “domestic terrorists.” City officials and residents, however, have consistently pushed back on those claims, describing Portland as a peaceful, resilient city determined to uphold its values of inclusion and civil liberty.
Protecting Immigrant Communities
Supporters of the “Protect Portland Initiative” argue that codifying sanctuary policies helps ensure immigrants can access city services without fear of deportation. The measure also prohibits city departments from sharing residents’ immigration status information with federal agencies.
Community advocates say the city’s stance represents both a moral and practical necessity. “This is about trust,” said one local organizer during public testimony. “If people are afraid to call the police or go to a city clinic, our entire community becomes less safe.”
A Model for Other Cities
As national debates over immigration and federal power intensify, Portland’s move positions it as one of the most assertive sanctuary cities in the country. The new ordinances effectively formalize what has long been an informal practice — ensuring local law enforcement remains independent of ICE operations.
Mayor Wilson said the measures will also serve as a blueprint for other municipalities seeking to protect residents from federal overreach.
“This is about more than one city,” Wilson said. “It’s about defining what kind of nation we want to be — one where compassion and justice guide our actions, not fear.”
For Portlanders, the vote marks both a symbolic and substantive victory — a reaffirmation of the city’s enduring commitment to inclusion, human rights, and local self-determination in the face of federal pressure.
