Portland, New York Times, Discover Zoning Can Fight ICE
The New York Times spotlights Portland’s novel approach to resisting ICE by using zoning laws to block a new facility. It’s certainly… innovative. But what the Times carefully tiptoes around is the broader context of federal funds and political cowardice. While Portland plays bureaucratic chess, the federal government—fueled by tax dollars—continues to operate agencies like ICE with impunity,
often supported by politicians who champion 'local control' until it inconveniences their agendas. One might wonder why such local ingenuity is necessary when a simple policy shift could address the issue directly. But direct action would require confronting the bipartisan consensus that props up these agencies, a consensus often shored up by lobbying efforts and election cycles. It's easier to
fight a federal agency with a planning commission than with conviction, especially when 'fighting' still allows for federal grants to flow.