NEWBERG, Ore. — Amid growing public concern about federal immigration activity in Newberg, local police and school leaders outlined their respective roles in ensuring community safety and responding to rising anxiety among families.
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At the Dec. 1 Newberg City Council meeting, several residents questioned the Newberg-Dundee Police Department’s relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
NDPD Capt. Ryan Simmons told Newsberg that the agency does not enforce immigration laws or assist in apprehending people suspected of immigration violations, except under narrow circumstances defined by state statute.
Simmons said the department’s Policy 413 is based on Oregon Revised Statute 181A.820, which restricts local law enforcement from using resources for federal immigration enforcement.
“The bottom line is we do not enforce immigration violations or assist in apprehending people who are suspected of violating immigration law or have committed an immigration violation,” Simmons said.
The exception, he noted, applies when federal immigration warrants have been issued by a magistrate, in which case local police are required by law to make an arrest.
Simmons said the department has not received recent training or guidance on working with ICE beyond ensuring officers are aware of state law and NDPD policy.
Questions from residents also focused on unmarked vehicles and how citizens should respond if they witness someone being detained by individuals who have not identified themselves. Simmons said NDPD will respond to calls when a resident believes someone is being held against their will or a crime may be occurring.
“If they think the activity is related to immigration enforcement, they should report that information, so we have all the information before responding,” he said.
He added that NDPD does not train on ICE procedures and encouraged residents to review federal supremacy law for clarity on federal authority. Supremacy Clause refers to the foundational principle that federal law, in general, takes precedence over any conflicting state law, according to the Legal Information Institute.
Newberg-Dundee School District Responds
Concerns about federal activity were also raised Tuesday, Dec. 9 during the Newberg-Dundee School Board’s regularly scheduled meeting, where board members issued statements in English and Spanish addressing student safety following recent allegations of ICE drone activity near elementary schools and arrests of local residents.
“Over the past three weeks, we have heard concerns from families and staff about the federal activity in our community,” Board Chair Deb Bridges said. “We understand that many of our students are feeling anxious, and some families are uncertain about traveling to and from school.”
Board members emphasized that student privacy is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
“Students’ records and personally identifiable information cannot be released without a valid judicial order,” NDSB Director Sol Allen said. “These protections apply to every student every day.”
The board said students could seek support from counselors, Unidos Bridging Community, and school-based teams, noting that while such resources cannot erase families’ fears, the district stands with the community.
Director Aubrey Nichols said many parents, educators, and administrators had described heightened anxiety among families in recent weeks.
“I hope those families are feeling the care and support of this community,” Nichols said. “We stand in community; we are all members of the Newberg community.”
Newsberg Reporter Jules Rogers contributed to reporting for this story.
