(UPDATE: We just learned the defense contractor has backed out of their desire to establish an ICE facility on the Oregon coast. This is excellent news, but that does not mean ICE won’t try invading us in the future. As such, this petition will remain up and more articles will be posted daily) Newport city officials have been alerted that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering Newport Municipal Airport as a potential site for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. This decision comes as part of a broader plan to establish ICE facilities along the Oregon coast. City officials have tried to verify this with federal agencies, who have so far refused to do so.  

While we hope this proves to be no more than a rumor, we must still take action. This petition is to be signed by Lincoln County residents who do not want our home county to facilitate the brutal and controversial actions of ICE that have torn families apart and caused lasting physical and mental damage on many individuals. Even those who do not live in the county, but are just as serious about keeping ICE out of more communities, are encouraged to sign. 

Such concerns are not unfounded; as of now, ICE now has more detainees than they ever have at any point in time despite their limited capacity and staff. Partially resulting from such overcrowding, there are widespread reports of neglect and physical/sexual abuse. One report details the mistreatment of children as young as six-months-old.  It has also been statistically evaluated that no correlation exists between mass deportations and reductions in localized crime. There is a lot of this information we could point out, but for the sake of time we will simply post these findings and links to this page. Please sign this petition if you oppose the establishment of any ICE facility in Newport.   November 13,2025 article addition—Details of  detainee abuse at Louisiana center. https://law.yale.edu/yls-today/news/students-document-reports-abuse-immigration-detention-center