Raids by ICE Reverberate Through Portland’s Small Business Heart
In Portland, where small businesses are the lifeblood of tight-knit neighborhoods, recent rumors and the threat of ICE enforcement have cast a tangible shadow over the community. Even without confirmed raids, fear alone is decisively shaking storefronts and supply chains.
In late January 2025, social media speculation about possible raids created a climate of urgency and dread. “There’s a lot of unsubstantiated rumors… and that’s just contributing to the climate of fear,” said Heather McCoy, a resident. Some small business owners, like Phil Geffner of Escape from New York Pizza, offered what he called a “safe space” — telling customers they could hide in the back if ICE showed up. “Just leave these people alone,” he said, “bottom line.”
While no official ICE activity was reported at that time, advocates emphasize that regional communities remain on edge. Andrea Gonzalez from the Innovation Law Lab urged businesses and families to prepare ahead, advising, “Cross-check social media information… have a plan… know who to call if someone is detained.”
The Real Cost of Enforcement: Ripple Effects of Raids
Outside of Portland, enforcement actions have already devastated small businesses:
Labor and revenue collapse: In Los Angeles, produce vendor Juan Ibarra’s daily revenue plunged from $2,000 to just $300 following ICE sweeps. Spoiled stock and skyrocketing disposal costs added insult to injury.
Protecting Your Business: Practical Laws & Action Plans
1. Create a clear response plan
Develop and practice a written ICE response plan—akin to a fire drill. Train staff to remain calm, direct ICE to the owner, and stay silent. Advocate guidance from the ACLU of Oregon includes:
“DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR… exercise the right to remain silent…!”
2. Understand your physical boundaries
ICE agents can access public areas—lobbies, dining rooms—without a warrant. But you control entry to private spaces (e.g., stock rooms, offices). You may refuse entry unless ICE presents a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
3. Know your rights under Oregon’s sanctuary laws
Oregon is a sanctuary state. Local or state law enforcement—including city officials—cannot assist ICE without a judicial warrant. Private businesses are also covered by strong protections.
4. Train staff to handle ICE legally
Staff should be taught to say: “You must speak with the employer.”
Employees have the right to “ask for a lawyer and remain silent.”
Train them not to flee or interfere—stay calm and safe.
5. Connect with community legal networks
Historic Parkrose should compile a list of trusted immigration legal aid resources, including:
ACLU of Oregon’s rapid response materials
Oregon DOJ’s Sanctuary Promise Hotline (1-844-924-STAY) for reporting violations
Local rapid-response hotlines (e.g. Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition: 1-888-622-1510)
Why This Matters for Parkrose
Even in the absence of confirmed ICE raids, the fear alone destabilizes small businesses—locals stay away, staff live with dread, and the corridors that define our neighborhoods fall quiet. A response plan rooted in awareness, legal safeguards, and community support can help businesses:
Preserve operations in a crisis
Uphold employee rights and morale
Strengthen trust within Parkrose and across East Portland
Sources
KPTV – “Portland immigrant community on edge amid rumors of ICE raids” (Feb 2025) 【kptv.com】
Reuters – “Immigration raids in Los Angeles hit small business owners: ‘It’s worse than COVID’” (2025)
American Immigration Council – “The Toll of Immigration Enforcement on Local Economies”
KGW – “Oregon wine and hospitality industries fear ICE raids”
ACLU of Oregon – Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Rights 【aclu-or.org】
Oregon DOJ – Sanctuary Promise Hotline Toolkit 【doj.state.or.us】
National Immigration Law Center – Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace 【nilc.org】
