Migrants in Oregon suburb detained after ICE agents posed as utility workers
Jan 2026·Location: Gresham, OR

In December 2025 and January 2026, federal agents posing as utility company employees lured residents out of their homes in Gresham, Oregon, leading to the detention of at least three people, according to state Rep. Ricky Ruiz. Ruiz said agents used the ruse to get one man to leave his house before taking him into custody, and he later contacted NW Natural and Portland General Electric after hearing of similar incidents. Both utilities have since issued customer guidance—NW Natural's published in seven languages—explaining that their employees wear uniforms and badges, never demand immediate home entry, and typically only need yard access to reach meters. ICE did not respond to requests for comment on the incidents.
Sources
More incidents in Oregon
- Astoria business owner detained by ICE at port, later released from Tacoma facilityOct 2, 2026 · Astoria, OR
- Woman pepper-sprayed by ICE agent after confronting vehicles at Astoria portOct 2, 2026 · Astoria, OR
- Data shows rising ICE arrests outside Oregon big-box storesSep 27, 2026 · OR
- ICE detains 21 farmworkers during multi-agency drug raids across Southern OregonSep 26, 2026 · Medford, OR
- Farmworkers detained as ICE joins drug raids on Southern Oregon cannabis farmsSep 23, 2026 · Medford, OR
- Oregon AG joins briefs challenging prolonged ICE detention, warrantless arrestsSep 23, 2026 · OR