The 2025 Hood River City Council, left to right: Anna Cavaleri, Ben Mitchell, Gladys Rivera, Mayor Paul Blackburn, Douglas Stepina, Grant Polson and Amanda Goeke.
The 2025 Hood River City Council, left to right: Anna Cavaleri, Ben Mitchell, Gladys Rivera, Mayor Paul Blackburn, Douglas Stepina, Grant Polson and Amanda Goeke.
HOOD RIVER — Hood River City Council’s meeting on Sept. 22 included a discussion of local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sightings, federally-endorsed racial profiling, and community distrust. Though neither spoke, Hood River Chief of Police Neal Holste and Hood River County Sheriff Matt English were also in attendance.
Councilors requested City Administrator Abigail Elder add the item to the agenda after ICE was allegedly seen at Safeway with local police on Aug. 20, causing speculation on social media of a collaboration between the two agencies.
Hood River city and county governments, including law enforcement, have been prohibited from assisting federal immigration enforcement activities since 1987, when Oregon became the first state to adopt a Sanctuary Law. In 2021, the Sanctuary Promise Act (HB 3265) was enacted to further strengthen protections for immigrant communities, Elder said. Hood River City Council passed Resolution 2025-06 earlier this year, affirming the city’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.
Still, people are scared. The discussion started with a statement from Council President Gladys Rivera recognizing local law enforcement’s dedication to keeping the community safe. “At the same time, I also have to acknowledge the reality that we are living in a moment where many people of color do not feel safe,” she said. “We are hearing stories of profiling, of fear and of mistrust, and that pain is very real in our community” (see Rivera’s full statement in the next column).
“I don’t think there’s anything that Chief [Holste] can do to help people feel safe, because there’s a whole bunch of law enforcement out there in our country trying to catch people,” said Mayor Paul Blackburn. “It’s not ours, it’s the federal government — Chief [Holste] can’t defend our residents from that.”
Councilor Ben Mitchell addressed the Safeway incident, saying that just because a local law enforcement vehicle is seen on site with ICE agents doesn’t mean the two agencies are working together.
“I think that’s where a lot of the confusion came from, that people did see or claim to see federal police there, and extrapolated that into Hood River Police assisting ICE,” he said.
Elder reiterated that local law enforcement has no control over ICE visits — and as ICE is not required to disclose their plans, the city has no idea when they’re present.
“We did not know that the operation was finished,” she said. “We didn’t know if there would be public information about it. But the fundamental messages of safety, inclusivity, following state law — those are pieces that we can absolutely use.”
Rivera’s full statement
I want to start by thanking our police officers. I know that this is not an easy job, and I appreciate the service and the sacrifice that you provide to help our community safe. I recognize the long hours, the risk you take and the toll that this work can carry.
At the same time, I also have to acknowledge the reality that we are living in a moment where many people of color do not feel safe. We are hearing stories of profiling, of fear and of mistrust, and that pain is very real in our community. It’s a difficult truth, but one that we must face together if we’re going to heal and build stronger trust.
My hope is that we can continue creating a community where safety is felt by everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, that takes partnership, transparency and compassion on all sides. I believe in our ability to move forward, to protect and to uplift every person in the city.
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