Congresswoman Bynum wants answers from ICE, amid reports of targeted raids in Central Oregon
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As reports from nonprofits swirl about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Central Oregon, Rep. Janelle Bynum is asking them whether it is targeting immigrant communities during moments of crisis or other essential trips, including while individuals seek fire evacuation resources or simply grocery shopping.
In light of recent reports of ICE activity during wildfire evacuations and at local supermarkets, Bynum is demanding transparency and accountability, raising serious concerns about potential civil rights violations and the undermining of public safety during Oregon’s wildfire season.
“These kinds of terror missions aren’t law enforcement, they’re state-sponsored fear,” said Congresswoman Bynum. "If ICE is targeting immigrants at grocery stores or fire evacuation sites, it’s not just cruel, it’s a threat to public safety. We cannot normalize masked men in unmarked cars any more than we normalize lynch mobs and slave patrols. This is a new America and we will not turn back.”
Many of the ICE raid reports have come from the Latino Community Association, “What we’re seeing is cruel, illegal, and un-American. We need to work together as a community to fight back against these raids and keep families together and safe,” said Catalina Sánchez Frank, Executive Director of the Latino
Community Association.
In recent weeks, community advocates and legal observers have documented ICE agents taking seven laborers from a housing build site and driving through neighborhoods at increased frequency. Community stores that sell food predominantly to the Latino community are experiencing a steep drop in sales and decreased inventory as individuals are afraid to put themselves or their family at risk.
Businesses are unable to operate because their workforce is forced to choose between showing up to work or keeping themselves and their families safe from ICE. Constituents are carrying their passports out of fear that they may be profiled. During the Alder Springs Fire, level 3 evacuations were ordered for many members of the Central Oregon community.
Latino Community Association stated that no families engaged their critical services during the evacuation out of fear they would be detained or taken. These actions have created a climate of fear in Central Oregon, where immigrant families are being forced to choose between seeking safety and risking detention.
Congresswoman Bynum says she's heard from Central Oregonians who don't want ICE in their neighborhood.
"We in this country have the ability to walk freely amongst our streets and not fear who is going to kidnap us. And right now they're challenging that. And I think that is where Central Oregonians have said no more. "
She also challenged other law makers to meet her on the floor of the House to debate immigration laws, instead of abducting people off the streets
