Portland Votes to Restrict Masked Immigration Agents Despite Legal Concerns

PORTLAND, Ore. — Despite an Appeals Court ruling that a local government ordinance cannot supersede federal legislation, the Portland City Council voted in favor of banning immigration agents from wearing face masks and failing to wear identification tags.

City officials who opposed the ordinance in support of the court’s unconstitutional ruling were Mayor Keith Wilson, Portland Police Chief Bob Day, councilor and attorney Steve Novick, and City Attorney Robert Taylor.

Their opposition was muffled by a council vote approving the ordinance, which was carried 8-4. Opposing the ordinance were Councilors Olivia Clark, Dan Ryan, Loretta Smith, and Eric Zimmerman.

The Ordinance Shows Support For the Community

Sponsor Councilor Sameer Kanal described the ordinance as a necessary response to show support for the community.

However, he conceded that the ordinance will not prevent immigration agents from wearing masks. He said police officers will instead verify the legitimacy of agents by requesting them to remove their masks and prove their identity.

Kanal said police officers will also verify that immigration agents have judicial warrants for their activities within city limits, and that their vehicles have the necessary markings to identify them.

Police officers will be requested to hand over reports of all their interactions with immigration officials.

Since the Trump administration introduced its tough immigration stance, more than 2,100 immigrants resident in Oregon have been arrested.