‘Sowing fear into our communities’: Local legislators respond to ICE presence at Wood Middle School

Local elected leaders have spoken out against the presence of federal agents outside Inza R. Wood Middle School in Wilsonville on Monday, Oct. 13.

Yesterday, multiple sources confirmed that an unidentified vehicle was parked on the property shared by Wood Middle School and Boones Ferry Primary School. School district staff asked the individuals in the vehicle to identify themselves and requested that they leave school property. The ICE officers reportedly told district officials that they were there for “surveillance of the general area.”

“ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) should not be patrolling our schools. Their presence instills fear among students and parents and creates the risk that students may stop coming to school altogether. This is just another way that ICE is sowing fear into our communities. ICE should not be in our schools, hospitals, or places of worship. Everyone deserves to learn, see a doctor, and pray without fearing for their safety,” U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, said by email.

In a message to the Wood community, the school district referenced Oregon’s Sanctuary Law and the Oregon Student Information Protection Act.

Wilsonville Mayor Shawn O’Neil also posted a statement on social media.

“Yesterday, an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) vehicle was seen parked near Inza Wood Middle School. School staff engaged with the agents and asked them to leave school property, and they did shortly after. I have been in communication with the school district and our regional, state, and federal partners concerning this event,” O’Neil said. “As Mayor, I have no legal authority to prevent federal agencies from operating in or near Wilsonville. But I do have a responsibility to speak to how their actions affect many of our residents. The presence of ICE near a school can create fear and confusion—not only for immigrant and refugee families, but for all children. Wilsonville is a City of Belonging. The strength of our community is built on the cultures, traditions, and stories that make Wilsonville home. Immigrant families are our neighbors, classmates, and friends. Their presence enriches us all. Let’s meet moments like this with calm, compassion, and clarity.”  

Federal enforcement around Portland has been under scrutiny since President Donald Trump directed the Oregon National Guard to protect the ICE facility located at the south waterfront. 

“Our schools are places for learning, safety, and growth. Not fear or intimidation. Every child deserves to walk through the school’s doors knowing that they are valued, supported, and protected. ICE has no right to use our schools as a place to surveil our community members. Actions like this undermine the trust that families place in our public institutions and have no place in our communities,” state Rep. Jules Walters, D-West Linn, said in a press release.  

Wilsonville’s state Representative Sue Rieke Smith, D-Wilsonville, posted a statement to social media.

“Earlier today, ICE agents were reportedly seen conducting surveillance near Wood’s Middle School in Wilsonville. At this time, no students or families were approached or apprehended. The school district immediately followed established protocol to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and share updates as more information becomes available,” said Rieke Smith.