Beaverton Debates City Code Change That Would Allow Officers to Investigate Misconduct by ICE Agents

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Mounting public pressure to investigate alleged acts of violence and reckless driving by federal immigration agents is being considered by the Beaverton City Council.

The council is investigating the possibility of amending a city code to allow law enforcement officers to stop and cite ICE agents who violate local traffic laws.

If passed, local law enforcement officers will also be instructed to investigate public complaints about any incident of unacceptable behavior by ICE agents.

The Mayor Says the City Council is Walking a Tight Rope

In a local television interview, Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty described the situation as ‘walking a tight rope’ in a balance act to appease the public, while staying true to the law.

Councilor Nadia Hasan wants local law enforcement officers to document acts of excessive force and to refer potential criminal violations to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. She has also called for police officers to investigate federal agents who drive recklessly in unmarked vehicles.

However, the City of Beaverton must ensure that the actions of its police officers are legal.

An example of how local actions can conflict with the law is highlighted by California, where federal agents are banned from wearing face masks. However, the Los Angeles Police refuse to enforce the rule to avoid conflict between agencies.

Councilor Kevin Teater points out that Beaverton officers have cited federal agents who have broken traffic laws, but obtaining a conviction is almost impossible because of immunity.

Beaverton Recently Introduced Changes to its City Code Regarding Immigration Enforcement Agents

On January 20, the Beaverton City Council approved changes to the city code to formalize how local officials interact with federal immigration authorities.

The changes align city policy with Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act, reinforcing state law at the municipal level.

The updated ordinance bars city employees from sharing information with federal agencies for immigration enforcement purposes, unless disclosure is required by law. It also prohibits the use of city staff to arrest or detain individuals solely on the basis of immigration enforcement.