Woodburn farmworkers say ICE raids spark fear, work disruptions

(WOODBURN) Farmworkers around Woodburn are reporting new ICE arrests and growing fear after a dawn stop on August 7, 2025, near Canby. Advocates say the actions disrupt families, slow farms, and push people indoors.

Local groups and state agencies rushed to help with legal aid, worker protections, and planning for children if a parent is detained. Woodburn police say they won’t help ICE.

What happened and why it matters

• On August 7 at about 6 a.m., ICE agents detained a group of farmworkers heading to blueberry fields near Woodburn, according to advocates.
  Similar reports surfaced in June from nearby towns, including Newberg. These incidents follow a broader federal crackdown. People now avoid work and public places, and employers report fewer hands in the fields.

• PCUN (Oregon’s largest farmworker union, based in Woodburn) says calls for help have surged. Staff run “know your rights” sessions, rapid response, and lawyer referrals. The Woodburn Farm Worker Service Center helps families make emergency plans if a parent is picked up.

• Oregon remains a “sanctuary state.” That means local and state police cannot help federal immigration enforcement in most cases. Woodburn’s mayor says local police will not take part in ICE detentions. Still, ICE conducts its own operations, which creates confusion and fear.

Voices from the ground

“People are afraid to go to work, and they’re afraid to leave work. There’s a particular vulnerability that a lot of farmworkers feel when they’re in rural communities. They’re often outside in these remote areas of work, where they feel very exposed.”
— Reyna Lopez, PCUN executive director

Threatening to call ICE to silence workers “is one of the most egregious forms of retaliation.” Christina Stephenson, who leads Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), promises “every enforcement tool” will be used to protect workers.

What Oregon law does—and doesn’t—do

• State and local police limits
  • Oregon law blocks local and state agencies from enforcing federal immigration laws.
  • In practice, Woodburn police won’t join ICE raids or hold people on immigration detainers.
• Landlord-tenant privacy
  • A law signed in May 2025 makes it illegal for landlords to ask about or share a tenant’s immigration status.
  • This is intended to reduce fear at home and support stable housing during tense periods.
• Workplace retaliation
  • In July 2025, BOLI warned employers that threatening to call ICE against workers—especially after a complaint about pay, safety, or harassment—is illegal.
  • BOLI will prioritize and aggressively pursue those cases. Workers can call BOLI’s Civil Rights Division to report threats.

What ICE continues to do

• ICE runs federal enforcement actions, often early in the morning and near workplaces or homes.
• Agents may use civil administrative warrants, which are not the same as judicial warrants signed by a judge. People are often confused about the difference.
• If agents come to a home without a judicial warrant, people usually do not have to let them in. It is reasonable to ask to see a judicial warrant.

Important official resources (preserved links):
– For federal forms like the I-246 (Stay of Removal), visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pages.
– For federal information about civil rights and discriminatory practices tied to immigration status, see the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division webpage.
– For immigrant protection resources through the Oregon DOJ, see the Oregon DOJ resource hub on immigrant protection.

Practical steps for farmworkers and families

Plan ahead:
1. Keep copies of important documents in one safe place.
2. List emergency contacts for children, schools, and doctors.
3. Consider a notarized childcare authorization so a trusted adult can pick up children if needed.
4. Have a small “go bag” with medicines, IDs, and cash.

At home:
– Ask if officers have a judicial warrant signed by a judge with a person’s name and address. If not, you can choose not to open the door.
– Speak through the door. Ask officers to slide the warrant under the door or hold it to a window.

On the street or at work:
– You have the right to remain silent. You can say, “I choose to remain silent.”
– Ask, “Am I free to go?” If yes, walk away calmly.
– Do not provide false documents. Do not run.

If detained:
– Ask to call a lawyer. Do not sign papers you don’t understand.
– Family members should contact local rapid response networks and legal aid.

Note: If you apply for a Stay of Removal, use ICE Form I-246. The official form and instructions are on ICE’s website; search “Form I-246, Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal” on the ICE forms page.

If checking a loved one’s case, you may encounter Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative). The official G-28 is available on the USCIS website at uscis.gov/g-28.

Economic and daily impact

• Advocates report fewer farmworkers showing up for shifts. In The Dalles, cherry-picking crews reportedly dropped by half in July. Woodburn growers warn of similar issues during peak harvest.
• Fewer workers mean:
  • Slower harvests
  • Strained supply chains
  • Lost pay for families
  • Local shops losing customers as people stay home

Employers’ responsibilities

• Do not threaten to call ICE against workers who raise safety or wage concerns. BOLI treats this as illegal retaliation.
• Post required labor notices in languages workers understand.
• Train supervisors on how to respond if federal agents appear.
  • Ask for a judicial warrant before granting entry to nonpublic areas.
• Keep I-9 processes lawful. Treat all workers the same and avoid “over-documenting” immigrant workers, which can be discrimination.

For national I-9 rules and E-Verify details, see the official USCIS I-9 page at www.uscis.gov/i-9.

Community response and resources

PCUN, the Woodburn Farm Worker Service Center, and allied groups offer:
– Know your rights workshops
– Legal aid referrals
– Rapid response teams
– Mental health support
– Emergency family planning

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, coordinated local support and clear worker protections can reduce panic, keep families informed, and help maintain farm operations during enforcement spikes.

Multiple perspectives

• Advocacy groups emphasize harm to families and local economies and push for more state protections and clear guidance to schools and hospitals.
• State officials stress the legal lines: Oregon won’t assist federal enforcement, and retaliation by landlords or bosses won’t be tolerated.
• Some lawmakers advocate closer cooperation with ICE, citing crime concerns — the debate continues.
• ICE cites federal law and executive orders and proceeds regardless of local policies.

What’s next

• Advocates expect more enforcement, so training and legal clinics will continue.
• Lawmakers may consider new protections for workers and tenants.
• Farms and packing houses may adjust schedules, add transportation plans, or coordinate with local groups to reduce risk around shift changes.

If you need help

• PCUN: pcun.org, (503) 982-0243
• BOLI Civil Rights Division: (971) 673-0761
• Woodburn Farm Worker Service Center: local support for planning and legal referrals
• Oregon DOJ Immigrant Protection: justice.oregon.gov/immigrant

One official resource to bookmark: the USCIS I-9 page explains employer verification duties and anti-discrimination rules. It helps both workers and employers understand document checks and rights. Visit the I-9 central page on USCIS for current forms and guidance.

Bottom line: Reports of ICE actions in Woodburn have real effects — farmworkers skip work, children worry about parents, and small businesses lose customers. State law offers important protections, and help is available. Keep calm, make a family plan, know your rights, and reach out to trusted local groups right away. Employers should protect workers, follow the law, and avoid retaliation.