City of Newport Settles ICE Case

The City of Newport has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) following nearly 10 months of litigation over the potential siting of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newport.

Under the settlement, ICE has stipulated that it currently has no plans to expand existing detention facilities or open new long- or short-term detention facilities anywhere in Oregon. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also agreed to provide the City of Newport with at least 30 days notice before issuing an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement for a plan to construct or operate a detention facility in Newport.

The agreement provides the City with formal notice provisions and a statement of the federal government’s current plans regarding detention facilities in Oregon.  “This has been a long and challenging process for our community, and we have remained committed to protecting Newport’s interests every step of the way,” said Mayor Jan Kaplan.

“Our responsibility is to stand up for our residents, protect our community’s future and ensure that decisions affecting Newport are made with the transparency and accountability our community deserves. We are pleased to have reached this agreement, and we will continue to keep our community informed.”

City Council President Robert Emond emphasized the importance of the City’s efforts throughout the litigation. “From the beginning, our priority as a City Council has been to protect Newport and ensure that federal actions affecting our community respect the laws, agreements and safeguards in place,” Emond said.

“Our community has come together in remarkable ways throughout this process. We appreciate everyone who has supported these efforts and helped ensure Newport’s concerns were heard.”

Newport City Attorney Tiffany Johnson worked alongside outside counsel Stoll Berne throughout the litigation, representing the City in its efforts to address the proposed detention facility and protect the community’s interests.

Background

In October 2025, the City became aware of federal efforts to potentially establish an ICE detention facility at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Facility at Newport Municipal Airport. The possibility raised significant concerns about the project’s potential impacts on the community, coastal resources and local infrastructure.

The City retained Stoll Berne as outside counsel, and on December 22, 2025, the City filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court challenging the federal government’s actions and seeking to prevent the proposed facility from moving forward in Newport.