We know that many of you have been closely following what’s been going on in Newport since early November, when we first learned of the threat of a new ICE prison. We wanted to share this latest update from Representative David Gomberg because it so powerfully shows the response, which has been a resounding “Hell No” to ICE on the coast or anywhere in Oregon.
The strength of this organizing response is thanks to local groups on the coast, who leapt into action and have continued to coordinate with one another and statewide partners.
We’re far from out of the woods on this one, but it feels important to pause and celebrate the powerful organizing that’s taking place. Because groups on the coast and across the ROP network have been building their muscles for resistance, we’re able to mobilize quickly and powerfully in moments like this.
Check out the excerpt below for more details about the response on the coast, or click here to read the full newsletter from Rep Gomberg.
“A comprehensive freaking uproar”
12/5/2025
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
“A comprehensive freaking uproar.” That’s how the response to the loss of our rescue helicopter and the possibility of an ICE transfer prison here is being described in the national news.Last week, I reported that we are winning the helicopter fight as a federal judge had ordered it to be returned to Newport while lawsuits continue. At the same time, our congressional delegation, Merkley, Wyden, and Hoyle, had secured a commitment from Coast Guard leadership that the helicopter would stay. But I also shared that explanations from the Coast Guard continue to shift. First they told us the helo was removed because of a personnel shortage. Then they told our US Senators it was a temporary shift to allow for maintenance. And now, in Court and under oath, they are saying that air assets were being reallocated to immigration patrols in Southern California and that they planned to close the Newport facility permanently this Spring.
In the news this week, our federal delegates secured written promises that the air rescue operation would stay in Newport. Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, the U.S. Coast Guard’s acting commandant, told Senators Merkley and Wyden that it was always his intent to return the helicopter to Newport in December, and that he will visit the area within a year. “The Coast Guard will do better to communicate and be transparent with you and the Newport community in these situations.”
Merkley, in a social media post Friday, wrote that he had “temporarily held up” Lunday’s confirmation as a U.S. Coast Guard commandant in the Senate “while we waited on this news.”
Meanwhile, the court deliberations continue. It is important to be clear that despite these latest commitments, the Coast Guard and Homeland Security Secretary Noem continue to oppose the state, county, and Newport Fishermen’s Wives in federal court.
Congresswoman Hoyle was in Newport Saturday to share her concerns about the helicopter and a proposed ICE detention prison.
The future of air rescue on the Oregon Coast and a possible ICE detention prison remain necessarily intertwined. A national news story this week shed more light on these secretive plans.
Previously unreported federal contracting documents obtained by NOTUS reveal plans for a 200-person detention center in Newport. Immigrants arrested in Portland, and in a 350-mile radius from Newport, could wind up at the facility, according to answers ICE provided in a document to potential contractors. The government has indicated most ICE detainees in the planned Oregon facility will be held for less than 72 hours to avoid triggering heightened standards of care — which require more space and services — under the federal rules.
Soft-sided tents would be acceptable temporary structures, ICE said in a document provided to contractors. The facility, located at the end of an aircraft landing strip, would be located in a relatively secluded area off a two-lane road. ICE plans to bring planes directly up to a hangar on-site to load people on and ship them out.
During an October tour of the site, government officials indicated to the contractors that they would consider waiving certain requirements to keep the project on track.
In addition to joyful protests on the streets and impassioned testimony at town halls and public meetings, the Coast has vocally and constructively discouraged these developments.
The City of Newport has declined to lease more space to the federal government at the airport. Local businesses have declined lucrative contracts to deliver water or remove sewage. Local hotels have decided against housing federal employees. Cities from Lincoln City to Philomath are preparing resolutions of solidarity.
This week in Waldport, I was one of many who spoke with the city council regarding concerns that DHS wanted to base employees there. “This community is rightfully concerned about the evolving evidence that ICE wants to use this town as a bedroom for a large-scale detention facility just south of Newport at their airport. This will not be good for Lincoln County or Waldport and its tourist industry, the workforce our economy relies on or your public safety budget if the city is forced to respond to the protests that will inevitably arise with an increased ICE presence in the community.” I also asked the Council to consider the loss of local revenue since transient lodging taxes do not apply to people in hotels for more than 30 days.
The city ultimately succeeded in discouraging a local hotel from contracting with ICE.
Wednesday I joined a hundred local Waldport citizens to meet with the City Council.
I’m particularly disappointed that the Federal government has been unwilling to act in an open, honest and transparent way. And instead, we’ve been forced to ferret out the information of what’s going on and what is planned in our very own communities.
I will continue to be on the front lines working to preserve our air rescue resources and not turn Lincoln County into a detention destination. As I have said before, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is more concerned with detaining people than saving people here. Evidence of those plans continue to evolve.
