Join us on Friday, December 5th at 11:00 a.m. for a special episode of Radiozine on KBOO Community Radio. This week, we speak with Jess Montoya, Director of the Oregon for All Network, about a series of alarming incidents in which four U.S. citizens were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Oregon. These incidents have raised serious questions about civil liberties, due process, and the growing dangers faced by community members who document government actions.
Recently, a 17-year-old McMinnville High School student and another Oregonian were detained during ICE sweeps in Yamhill County, where at least seven additional people were arrested. The detentions occurred despite both individuals being U.S. citizens, leaving their families frantic and without information for hours. These events followed another incident the previous day in which two women from Canby—also U.S. citizens—were detained by ICE after filming agents operating in their community.
All four individuals have remained anonymous out of fear of retaliation. According to Montoya, the detentions happened without access to legal counsel and appear to violate fundamental constitutional protections. Oregon for All reports a growing pattern of ICE agents intimidating legal observers and Oregonians who record public enforcement activity—actions that raise significant First Amendment concerns.
In our conversation, Jess Montoya helps us understand what happened, why it matters, and how community members can safely document government actions while protecting themselves and their neighbors. Tune in to Radiozine, Friday at 11:00 a.m. on KBOO 90.7 FM, or stream live at kboo.fm.