Feds Bust 21 Religious Leaders In ICE Protest

PORTLAND, OR – Throughout August, religious leaders from many faiths have been joining together at the Portland headquarters of Immigration and Customs to protest the treatment of asylum seekers and other immigrants who have been detained at the Federal Correctional Institute in Sheridan. On Thursday, they were back for the sixth time in August.

At their last protest two weeks ago, six people were arrested.This time, nearly two dozen were arrested by federal officers.

More than 120 asylum seekers and other immigrants are being held in Sheridan while others are being held at the North Oregon Regional Correctional Facility in The Dalles. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

The protests have been organized by the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice, a coalition of nearly 150 different religious groups in the state.

Thursday's protest, with prayers, hymns, and speeches, was the largest one yet staged by the group.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Attorney for Oregon, Billy Williams, said that he had met with leaders of the group and while he respects their right to protest, interfering with federal employees doing their job, "will result in arrest.

"“As I’ve said before, freedom of speech and peaceful assembly are sacred rights, but we do not support actions that impede the work of federal employees."

Williams said that once the group started blocking the driveway to the building as well as the main entrance, and refused orders to move, there was no choice but to arrest them.

The group says that they will continue their protests and on September 30, they will start a seven-day march from the prison in Sheridan to the one in The Dalles.

Photos via Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice.