During the final weeks of 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has continued to be seen around Gresham, Oregon. During this period, they are reported to have repeatedly harassed civilians and families.
Around three weeks ago, the Instagram account dtds1273 posted a video discussing ICE agents requesting and receiving help from the Gresham Police. ICE complained that a Migra Watch Vehicle (M.W.V.) was chasing them. A Migra Watch Vehicle is a vehicle driven by a volunteer or someone who follows around ICE agents and warns others of their whereabouts. ICE complained that the M.W.V was “impeding and causing a disturbance.”
The video begins with the cameraman repeatedly asking ICE agents and Gresham police, “Why do you have a gun out?”
After repeating this several times, Sergeant O’Black approaches and asks, “How can I help you?” while trying to block the camera.
Sergeant O’Black ignores the question and tells the ICE agents to return to their vehicle. The video jumps ahead, and the cameraman asks, “Am I being suspected of a crime?”
Sergeant O’Black responds, “You’re being detained right now. They are just trying to do their job, like we’re just trying to do ours. You guys have jobs—you wouldn’t want somebody interfering at your workplace.”
The cameraman interrupts, “I would if they were kidnapping people. If I were kidnapping people, I’d want someone to come in and stop me.”
Sergeant O’Black replies, “That’s a difference of opinion that you and I probably aren’t going to agree on.”
Such displays of authority siding with the wrong side of the law cause people to lose trust in police and feel unsafe in their own communities.
The recorder shows the ICE agent’s vehicle, which clearly has no plates, breaking ORS 803.540, which states that “The plate must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, if only one plate is required. Plates must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle if two plates are required. The plates must be in plain view and easily readable by the public—failure to do so results in a Class D traffic violation,” according to oregonpubliclaw.com.
The cameraman informs Sergeant O’Black about the missing plates. O’Black laughs, saying they “aren’t doing anything wrong.”
ICE agents are breaking the law in other ways, such as being reported on Facebook and Instagram for swapping license plates to prevent identification.
Being brought awareness to this issue, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a stern warning to Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after reports surfaced of agents “flipping and modifying state-issued license plates on vehicles to carry out their military-style deportation efforts,” according to nbcchiacago.com.
Giannoulias states, “As Secretary of State, I have zero tolerance for these illegal activities. No one, including federal agents, is above the law, and we intend to hold them accountable on our roadways.”
Even though ICE agents are federal agents, there are still limits as to what they can and cannot do. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) grants ICE agents the power to question anyone they believe is not a U.S. citizen about their citizenship. They can also briefly stop and detain a person for questioning if the agent has “reasonable suspicion,” reports govfacts.org.
The Fourth Amendment contributes to this when it states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized,” according to constitution.congress.gov.
If ever approached or stopped by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, you have the right to remain silent. They cannot enter your home without a warrant, so you do not have to let them in. Immigrants and their families across the state and country fear ICE’s next actions. Some students report family members hiding at home, while others live in ongoing distress and panic about being taken.
Avoid making jokes about ICE, as the issue affects those around you more than you realize. Most importantly, be respectful—everyone’s experience is different.
