A woman reported that three people posing as ICE officers stopped her on Highway 211 near Woodburn, assaulted her, and detained her in an SUV. Oregon State Police and the FBI are investigating the July 17 incident, and federal agencies confirmed the suspects were not federal officers. Investigators are also tracing follow-up texts and asking the public for tips.
- A woman said three people posing as ICE officers stopped and detained her on Highway 211 near Woodburn.
- Oregon State Police and the FBI are investigating the reported impersonation, including a blue or gray SUV with no visible plates.
- Investigators said federal agencies confirmed the suspects were not federal officers, and public tips are being requested.
A woman told investigators that three people posing as ICE officers stopped her, assaulted her and detained her on Highway 211 east of Woodburn on July 17, 2026. Oregon State Police and the FBI are jointly investigating the reported impersonation in Clackamas County.
The encounter happened between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. near milepost 5, close to South Barlow Road. The woman had pulled into a gravel turnout after a newer-model smaller SUV activated red and blue emergency-style lights.
The SUV was blue or gray. It had no visible license plates.
One suspect carried a rifle, investigators said. The two men who approached the woman wore green long-sleeved shirts, face coverings, baseball caps and tactical vests marked “POLICE” in white lettering. Their badges also bore the word “Police.”
The men identified themselves as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and told the driver she was being detained. They removed her from the car, searched her and placed her in the back of the SUV.
A third man acted as a “guard.” He assaulted her while she remained inside the vehicle for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
The woman later drove herself to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. While there, she received text messages from a group claiming to be a law firm and offering legal representation connected to the detention.
Investigators are tracing the SUV, the messages and other possible victims
The state police opened case SP26-237961 and are seeking information about the roadside encounter and the later texts. Investigators want to hear from anyone who received messages from 971-502-5548, the number used to contact the victim.
Witnesses may also have seen the SUV near South Barlow Road that afternoon. The vehicle’s color, emergency-style lights, lack of visible plates and the suspects’ clothing could help distinguish it from other traffic.
OSP dispatch can be reached at 800-442-0776. Mobile callers can also dial *OSP, or *677.
The agency advised drivers who doubt a traffic stop’s legitimacy to call 911 or dispatch. Legitimate federal officers must clearly identify themselves.
The messages appeared after the detention ended. Their claimed offer of legal help is now part of the investigative trail.
Oregon State Police said federal law enforcement agencies confirmed that the people involved were not federal officers. The agency issued the warning on July 24, 2026.
“OSP investigators have contacted federal law enforcement agencies, who confirmed the individuals involved were not federal officers. Impersonating law enforcement jeopardizes public safety, creates unnecessary fear and confusion, and undermines trust in legitimate agencies.”
The OSP and FBI also said anyone who falsely represents themselves as a federal immigration officer will face criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
The roadside assault followed months of heightened enforcement around the community
The reported assault came after months of heightened federal immigration enforcement in the area. Woodburn has the highest share of Latino residents in Oregon, at 60%.
Federal agents operated in the area during late 2025 and early 2026 under an effort known as Operation Black Rose. Accounts of that operation described a quota of eight arrests per day, along with surveillance technology and unwritten instructions to identify “target-rich” locations.
The enforcement activity drew legal challenges. Innovation Law Lab sued federal agencies over what the organization called “unlawful dragnets” in Woodburn.
Isa Peña, the group’s director of strategy, said ICE arrests increased from 113 in 2024 to more than 1,100 arrests in 2025. Peña said the increase created a climate of fear that criminals are now exploiting.
The political response included legislation and an executive order. In March 2026, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 1570 and House Bill 4114.
Senator Floyd Prozanski, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the measures were intended to “strengthen our defenses against federal aggression.” The legislation would require federal agencies to provide advance notice of operations and clearly identify themselves.
Governor Tina Kotek also signed an executive order in March 2026 banning federal agents from using disguises or face coverings.
Those measures addressed official federal operations. The Highway 211 case concerns people investigators say falsely claimed to represent federal immigration authorities.
Oregon has seen another alleged ICE impersonation case this year
The case is the second high-profile impersonation incident described in 2026. In April, a 19-year-old was arrested in Portland after allegedly posing as an ICE officer to extort a 7-Eleven clerk.
The incidents occurred in different places and involved different alleged conduct. Both used the identity of federal immigration officers as part of the reported encounters.
The state investigation remains focused on the people who stopped the driver, the blue or gray SUV and the phone number that contacted her afterward. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near South Barlow Road on July 17 can contact dispatch and reference SP26-237961.
The OSP and FBI said false claims of federal authority can lead to criminal prosecution. Investigators are asking the public to report information about the vehicle, rifle, clothing, emergency-style lights or follow-up messages.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
