Oregon BOLI Issues Warning Against Employer ICE Threats

Key Takeaways

• BOLI warns employers that threatening to call ICE is illegal retaliation under Oregon law, effective July 17, 2025.
• All Oregon workers, regardless of immigration status, are protected from ICE-related retaliation and can file confidential complaints.
• Employers face investigations, fines, and penalties if found threatening workers with ICE reporting to suppress rights.

In July 2025, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) issued a strong warning to employers across Oregon, making it clear that threatening to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on workers is illegal retaliation under state law. This update is especially important for workers, employers, and advocates who want to understand what has changed, who is affected, and what steps to take if they face or witness such threats. The warning comes at a time when concerns about workplace retaliation and federal immigration enforcement are high, and it reflects both new policy actions and the current legal landscape in Oregon.

What Changed: BOLI’s July 2025 Warning

On July 17, 2025, BOLI publicly reminded employers that threatening to report workers to ICE because they spoke up about working conditions is illegal retaliation, no matter what the worker’s immigration status is. This warning is not just a reminder—it is a clear signal that BOLI will treat these cases as a top priority and will use all available enforcement tools to hold violators accountable.

BOLI Commissioner Christina Stephenson explained that these threats have a strong chilling effect on the workplace, making workers afraid to speak up about unsafe or unfair conditions. She called this kind of retaliation “one of the most egregious forms” and promised that BOLI would act quickly and forcefully against employers who break the law in this way.

Who Is Affected by the New Warning

This update affects several groups:

• Workers in Oregon: All workers, no matter their immigration status, are protected from retaliation and discrimination. This includes workers who are undocumented, have temporary status, or are U.S. citizens.
• Employers in Oregon: All employers must follow these rules. They cannot use threats of ICE reporting to silence or punish workers who assert their rights.
• Advocacy Groups and Legal Advisors: Organizations that support workers, such as unions and legal aid groups, now have stronger backing from the state to help workers who face these threats.
• Public Agencies: Oregon’s sanctuary state laws mean that public agencies, including BOLI, cannot ask about or share a person’s immigration status except in very limited situations.

Effective Dates and Enforcement

The warning took effect immediately on July 17, 2025. BOLI has made it clear that it will prioritize these cases from now on. This means that if a worker files a complaint about retaliation involving ICE threats, BOLI will treat it as an urgent matter.

BOLI’s enforcement tools include:

• Investigating complaints quickly
• Taking legal action against employers who break the law
• Issuing penalties and public enforcement actions

Required Actions for Workers and Employers

For Workers:

If you are a worker in Oregon and someone at work threatens to call ICE on you because you spoke up about working conditions, you have clear steps to follow:

1. Document Everything: Write down what happened, including dates, times, what was said, and who was there. If possible, keep copies of any written threats or messages.
2. File a Complaint with BOLI: You can do this online, by phone, or by email. BOLI will not ask about your immigration status, and they will not report you to ICE.
   • Website: oregon.gov/BOLI/workers/pages/immigrant-rights-on-the-job.aspx
   • Email: [email protected]
   • Phone: 971-245-3844
3. Cooperate with BOLI’s Investigation: BOLI will review your complaint, investigate what happened, and, if needed, take action against your employer.

For Employers:

Employers must not use threats of ICE reporting as a way to silence or punish workers. If an employer is found to have done this, they face serious legal risks, including:

• Investigations by BOLI
• Penalties and fines
• Public enforcement actions that can damage their reputation

Employers should also make sure that all managers and supervisors understand these rules and do not engage in or allow retaliation of any kind.

Legal Foundation and Sanctuary State Protections

Oregon law prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived national origin. This means that employers cannot target workers because of their immigration status, ethnicity, language, ancestry, or cultural background. Even if a worker is only “perceived” to be from another country, they are still protected.

Oregon’s sanctuary state laws add another layer of protection. These laws limit how much public agencies can cooperate with federal immigration authorities. For example, BOLI and other state agencies cannot ask about or share a person’s immigration status unless a law or court order requires it. This helps protect workers from being threatened with ICE as a way to silence them.

Background: Why This Warning Matters Now

Oregon has a long history of protecting workers from retaliation and discrimination. In recent years, the state has strengthened its sanctuary laws to protect immigrant communities from local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

At the same time, the federal government has increased immigration enforcement, including more I-9 audits, workplace raids, and deportation actions. These federal actions have made some employers more likely to use the threat of ICE as a way to scare workers into silence.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, both federal and state laws make it clear that employers cannot use immigration status as a weapon against workers who are standing up for their rights. Oregon’s new warning is a direct response to these national trends and aims to give workers more confidence to speak up without fear.

Recent Statements from Key Leaders

BOLI Commissioner Christina Stephenson said, “Intimidating and silencing workers who simply want to be treated fairly by threatening or actually calling immigration officials on them is one of the most egregious forms of retaliation. The Bureau will prioritize these cases… and will use every enforcement tool available to ensure that if employers are found to have violated the law in this way, they are held accountable to fullest extent of the law.”

Reyna Lopez, Executive Director of PCUN (Oregon’s farmworker union), added, “For too long, employers have weaponized the fear of deportation to silence workers speaking out against unsafe, unjust and illegal conditions. This conduct has only grown worse under the federal administration’s aggressive deportation policies. We’re grateful to have a state labor agency that stands firm against this kind of retaliation and defends the rights of some of Oregon’s most vulnerable workers.”

Practical Effects for Workers

The most important effect of this warning is that all workers in Oregon, no matter their immigration status, can report threats and retaliation without fear. BOLI will not ask about or report your immigration status. This means that undocumented workers, as well as those with temporary or permanent status, can safely file complaints.

Workers who experience threats related to ICE can:

• File a complaint with BOLI confidentially
• Expect a fair investigation
• Receive protection from further retaliation

Practical Effects for Employers

Employers must be very careful not to use ICE threats as a way to control or punish workers. Even hinting at calling ICE because a worker spoke up about working conditions is illegal. Employers who break these rules face:

• Investigations by BOLI
• Legal penalties and fines
• Damage to their business reputation

Employers should review their policies, train managers, and make sure everyone understands that retaliation—including ICE threats—is strictly forbidden.

Step-by-Step Procedures for Workers Facing Retaliation

If you are a worker who has been threatened with ICE or faced retaliation, here’s what you should do:

1. Write Down What Happened: Include the date, time, what was said, who said it, and who else was there.
2. Save Any Evidence: Keep copies of emails, texts, or written notes that show the threat or retaliation.
3. Contact BOLI: Use the official website, email, or phone number to file your complaint.
4. Cooperate with the Investigation: BOLI will not ask about your immigration status. They will focus on whether your rights were violated.
5. Get Support: You can also reach out to worker advocacy groups, unions, or legal aid organizations for help.

For more information, visit the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries official website.

Implications for Pending and Future Applications

If you have a pending complaint or are thinking about filing one, this new warning means your case will be taken seriously and handled quickly. BOLI has promised to prioritize these cases, so you should expect a faster response and a thorough investigation.

For workers who are worried about their immigration status, remember:

• BOLI will not ask about or report your status.
• Your rights are protected under Oregon law, no matter your status.
• Filing a complaint will not put you at risk of immigration enforcement by the state.

For employers with pending investigations, it is more important than ever to cooperate fully with BOLI and to review your workplace policies to make sure you are not violating the law.

Community and Legal Expert Perspectives

Worker advocates, such as PCUN, have praised BOLI’s strong stance. They point out that fear of deportation has long been used to keep workers from speaking up about unsafe or unfair conditions. Legal experts agree that while employers must follow federal I-9 verification rules (which require checking work authorization), they cannot use immigration status as a reason to retaliate against workers.

Employment law specialists warn that overstepping these boundaries can lead to serious legal trouble for employers. The law is clear: following I-9 rules is required, but using ICE threats as a weapon is illegal.

Looking Ahead: Future Enforcement and Education

BOLI has said it will continue to focus on retaliation cases involving ICE threats. The agency may also increase public outreach and enforcement actions in the coming months. This means more education for both workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.

Even as debates continue at the federal level about immigration enforcement, Oregon’s state-level protections are expected to stay strong and be actively enforced. Workers and employers should expect BOLI to remain vigilant and proactive.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• Threatening to call ICE on workers is illegal retaliation in Oregon, no matter the worker’s immigration status.
• BOLI will prioritize and aggressively enforce these protections.
• Oregon’s sanctuary laws provide extra safeguards for immigrant workers.
• Workers can file complaints confidentially with BOLI, which will not ask about or report immigration status.
• Employers face serious legal risks for retaliation or discrimination based on immigration status or national origin.

If you are a worker who has faced threats or retaliation, take action by documenting what happened and contacting BOLI through their official website, email, or phone. If you are an employer, review your policies and make sure all staff understand that retaliation—including ICE threats—is strictly forbidden.

For more details, guidance, or to file a complaint, use the resources provided by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. Staying informed and taking action helps protect everyone’s rights in the workplace.

Learn Today

BOLI → Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, a state agency enforcing labor laws and protecting workers’ rights.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws and deportation.
Retaliation → Punishment or threats against workers for asserting rights, such as unsafe workplace complaints.
Sanctuary State → A state limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect immigrant residents.
Complaint → A formal report filed by a worker alleging unlawful retaliation or discrimination by an employer.

This Article in a Nutshell

In July 2025, Oregon’s BOLI declared ICE threat retaliation illegal, protecting all workers. This law prioritizes swift enforcement and empowers workers to safely report violations without fear of immigration consequences.
— By VisaVerge.com