After hours of emotional testimony describing ICE raids, the Salem City Council on Nov. 24 voted 7-2 to reaffirm Salem as an inclusive and sanctuary city — then voted 6-3 to take a first step toward declaring a state of emergency over federal immigration enforcement.
Both decisions on the sanctuary resolution reaffirming support for Oregon’s sanctuary law followed a packed hearing where residents described encounters they attributed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and pressed city leaders to turn statements of support into stronger local protections and practical help for affected families.
Mayor Julie Hoy opened the meeting by stressing that immigration enforcement in Salem is handled by federal agencies, not the city. She said Salem is committed to making services “safe, accessible and welcoming” and told Hispanic residents that the city’s goal is to protect honest, hardworking families. City Manager Krishna Namburi said Salem follows Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Law and does not use city staff or resources to enforce federal immigration laws.
Public comment stretched late into the night as speakers described loved ones detained, vehicles with out-of-state or missing plates, masked and heavily armed people breaking windows and pulling residents from cars, and children watching as guns were pointed at parents.
Councilor Irvin Brown said his Christian faith makes him struggle with people who claim that faith yet are “okay with seeing families torn apart” and “snatched off the street” by hooded people. Councilor Vanessa Nordyke argued that federal immigration activity is creating an atmosphere of fear that “is damaging the social fabric of the city.” Councilor Shane Matthews pointed out that the Salem Police already don’t work with ICE and called the statement “powerless.” He warned it could shine “a spotlight on Salem,” drawing more federal activity and putting key funding for safety net programs at risk.
The sanctuary statement passed 7-2. Voting in favor were Councilors Nordyke, Micki Varney, Paul Tigan, Linda Nishioka, Brown, Mai Vang and Mayor Hoy. Matthews and Councilor Deanna Gwyn voted no. The measure does not change city code but restates the city’s commitment to inclusion and to complying with state sanctuary law.
Immediately after the vote, Nordyke moved to direct the Human Rights Commission and city staff to organize a “Know Your Rights” forum and to have the city manager draft an emergency declaration related to immigration activity to bring back to the council for consideration.
The city attorney told councilors that an emergency declaration would not create new legal protections beyond state law but could support training, advocacy and community outreach. Some city couselors felt that this will help protect illegal immigrant families, while opponents worried about a false sense of safety and supporters said federal agents are already targeting the city.
The motion to advance an emergency declaration passed on a 6-3 vote, with Councilors Varney, Tigan, Nishioka, Brown, Vang and Nordyke in favor and Matthews, Gwyn and Mayor Hoy opposed. For many in the chambers, the night ended without the stronger measures they had demanded. Now the city must figure out what these declarations mean in terms of action, and what the city is legally allowed to do to protect illegal immigrants from federal enforcement in the months to come.
