In a controversial move by federal authorities, an asylum-seeker was arrested Monday at the Portland Immigration Court, marking what is believed to be the first incident of its kind in the city.
The 24-year-old transgender woman, identified only by her initials O-J-M, fled Mexico in 2023 after suffering violence due to her gender identity and sexual orientation at the hands of a dangerous cartel.
She had arrived at the courthouse for a routine hearing when her case was suddenly dismissed by federal officials, paving the way for her arrest just outside the courtroom.
Juliann Peebles, an attorney who serves as a liaison for the Oregon chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, confirmed the arrest and warned that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are expected to continue their presence at the court throughout the week.
“There might be more people. A lot more people,” she stated, indicating that other arrests could follow.
The incident has quickly drawn attention among Oregon’s legal and advocacy communities, particularly after a news release from Innovation Law Lab, an organization representing O-J-M, brought the details to light.
Innovation Law Lab attorney Jordan Cunnings criticized the arrest, asserting that it represents a dangerous attempt by ICE to bypass due process and undermine the right to asylum.
“This unethical behavior goes against the values we hold as Oregonians, ensuring that everyone is welcomed and included in our state,” Cunnings stated.
In response to the arrest, attorneys filed an emergency habeas corpus petition to contest ICE’s actions, fearing that the agency is trying to expedite deportations without granting individuals their legal rights.
As of Monday evening, the federal legal petition was not yet available electronically, and further information was still emerging.
Peebles reported that during what are ordinarily considered standard immigration proceedings, federal attorneys moved to dismiss several pending cases, which could lead to immediate arrests if approved.
Proactive defenses by some immigrants had successfully kept their cases active, which prevented similar arrests from occurring.
“This has not happened in Portland immigration court before,” noted Erin McKee, co-director of the Immigrant Rights Project at the Oregon Justice Resource Center.
The center has been collecting information about ICE activities in and around Oregon courthouses since 2018 and was among those who quickly learned of Monday’s arrest.
Due to the current political climate surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, McKee advised individuals to consult with an attorney before attending court hearings.
The Portland Immigration Court Administrator Isaac Ross declined to comment on the specific arrest, while a spokesperson for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which supervises immigration courts, redirected inquiries about enforcement actions to the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE remained tight-lipped about the arrest, stating only that it routinely arrests individuals who violate immigration laws.
The agency spokesperson elaborated, “All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality.”
Local immigration attorneys expressed concern that federal lawyers may seek to collaborate with judges on a list of cases for dismissal in a bid to facilitate arrests.
Peebles cautioned that such actions would constitute improper contact unless an immigrant’s representative is present during these discussions.
The incident has sparked fear within the immigrant community, with many being hesitant to attend court hearings due to the potential for ICE action.
Peebles articulated that the arrests at courthouses play into the Trump administration’s strategy to intimidate individuals away from accessing the justice system.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration also revoked guidelines that had previously restricted ICE arrests at sensitive locations, including courthouses, unless prior approval was granted.
Federal representatives have claimed that the limitations enforced under the Biden administration obstruct “law enforcement” from effectively detaining undocumented individuals.
As reported by Reuters earlier this month, ICE has executed 189 arrests at courthouses since Trump assumed office again.
This latest incident in Portland may signal a troubling shift in immigration enforcement strategies, raising alarms among advocates who emphasize the importance of protecting the rights of asylum-seekers.
Brad Schmidt, who oversees investigative and data journalism at The Oregonian/OregonLive, contributed to this report.
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