From the team at Rogue Valley Migra Watch:

[Medford, OR] — Large-scale law enforcement raids were confirmed at multiple farms across Southern Oregon on Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24. Through eyewitness accounts, photos, and communication with impacted families, Rogue Valley Migra Watch has confirmed at least 21 people have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at these raids.

On Thursday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET), Josephine County Sheriff, Oregon State Police (OSP), and ICE were observed raiding a farm on White School House Rd in Cave Junction. Eyewitnesses and photos confirmed multiple ICE detention vehicles on site, including the Nissan Pathfinder (CWX8294) and a passenger van (D89559E), owned by GEO Group, the operators of the Northwest Detention Center. Rogue Valley Migra Watch has confirmed at least 8 people detained by ICE at this raid, but believe more may have been taken.

On Wednesday, state, local and Federal law enforcement also conducted raids on farms in Ruch and West Medford on Wednesday, September 23. Agencies involved include DEA, Customs and Border Patrol, Medford Police and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Rogue Valley Migra Watch confirmed 13 people were detained by ICE, and eyewitnesses documented the Geo Group passenger van being loaded with detainees at the Medford ICE office later that day.

The majority of ICE detainees are believed to be agricultural workers employed at local cannabis farms. Similar events took place on July 30, 2025, when 17 farmworkers were detained by ICE at raids that included local and state law enforcement. This week’s raids as well as the July 30, 2025 constitute the largest documented ICE raids in Southern Oregon and represent a significant increase in ICE activity across the state of Oregon.

Local immigration advocates have raised significant concerns about local and state law enforcement’s participation in the ICE raids. “Oregon’s sanctuary law prohibits state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration operations,” said Rogue Valley Migra Watch. “It’s plain and simple: local law enforcement should have no involvement in these large-scale ICE raids meant to rip families apart and stoke fear in our communities.”

“We call on community leaders around the state to investigate the role local law enforcement is playing in these ICE raids, and to put a stop to this collaboration. It is not acceptable for Oregon law enforcement to claim ignorance about ICE’s activities with actively assisting the federal government in these large-scale operations.”

People at risk of ICE targeting can call 541-840-9669 to enroll with free legal support through the Equity Corps of Oregon (ECO) for income-qualifying families and make a family preparedness plan with free bilingual notaries by emailing admin@coalicionfortaleza.org. If you believe you see ICE or have a loved one who may have been taken by ICE, please message Rogue Valley Migra Watch on Facebook or Instagram and call PIRC at 888-622-1510.

Rogue Valley Migra Watch is a network of community members keeping on eye on their neighborhoods to watch for ICE in Jackson and Josephine Counties. We were founded in January 2025 as response to latinx leaders in the Rogue Valley wanting more information about local ICE activity. You can follow Rogue Valley Migra Watch on Instagram and Facebook, where updates about ICE activity is posted and community tips about potential ICE activity can be confirmed by trained volunteers.State Representatives

Take Action: Tell Your Reps to Investigate 

You may be wondering: aren’t local agencies prohibited from partnering with ICE under Oregon’s sanctuary law? Many of us are asking the same. According to the Rogue Valley Times, a spokesperson from the sheriff’s office says they were not made aware of any planned detentions by ICE prior to the planned large-scale operation this week. But they also note this is part of a multi-year investigation, and similar cross-agency raids happened last year, in which local law enforcement were also on the scene during ICE detentions. Whatever else is said, this certainly suggests to us that they could have asked and verified in advance whether or not ICE would once again be making detentions during these operations.

Are local law enforcement engaged in due diligence to make sure they stay in compliance with Oregon’s sanctuary laws? How deep does the collaboration go? The public deserves to know, and to have evidence beyond quotes from spokespersons. Call your local representatives and tell them to investigate the role of local law enforcement in multi-agency actions in Oregon that lead to ICE detentions. 

The Governor’s Office:

• Gov. Tina Kotek (D) – https://www.oregon.gov/gov/pages/contact-us.aspx
  Phone: 503-378-4582

State Representatives:

• Rep. Pam Marsh (D – District 5: Southern Jackson County, Ashland, Talent, Phoenix)
  Capitol Phone: 503-986-1405, Email: Rep.PamMarsh@oregonlegislature.gov
• Rep. Kim Wallan (R – District 6: Medford)
  Capitol Phone: 503-986-1406, Email: Rep.KimWallan@oregonlegislature.gov
• Rep. Emily McIntire (R – District 56: Eagle Point, White City, parts of Jackson County)
  Capitol Phone: 503-986-1456, Email: Rep.EmilyMcIntire@oregonlegislature.gov
• Rep. E. Werner Reschke (R – District 55: Klamath Falls and the Crater Lake area)
  Capitol Phone: 503-986-1455, Email: Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov

State Senators:

• Sen. Noah Robinson (R – District 2)
  Salem Phone: 503-986-1702, Email: Sen.NoahRobinson@oregonlegislature.gov
• Sen. Jeff Golden (D – District 3: Jackson County)
  Salem Phone: 503-986-1703, Email: Sen.JeffGolden@oregonlegislature.gov
• Sen. Diane Linthicum (R – District 28: Klamath/Lake/Jackson areas)Salem Phone: 503-986-1728, Email: sen.dianelinthicum@oregonlegislature.gov

Federal Representatives

Congressman Cliff Bentz (R – 2nd Congressional District, covering all of Southern and Eastern Oregon)
Medford District Office: (541) 776-4646, Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 225-6730

U.S. Senators for Oregon:

• Ron Wyden: (D) Medford office: (541) 858-5122, D.C. office:( 202) 224-5244 
• Jeff Merkley: (D) Medford office: (541) 608-9102, D.C. office: (202) 224-3753 

Medford Police onsite at the raids that led to 21 detentions this week. 

Every ticket holder will have the opportunity to choose a unique, handcrafted ceramic bowl and have it filled with delicious soup provided by local restaurants. The simple meal of hot soup, fresh, locally made bread and simple desserts served by local “celebrities” brings together our community to support the work of Uncle Food’s Diner.

Tickets are $25, or $10 for youth and students. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available.

In addition to buying a ticket, there are many other ways to support the event. Become a sponsor, donate a bowl, or volunteer—we need you! Let us know how you can help by filling out this quick form or email Meg at meg@peacehouse.net.

Get your tickets here: https://donorbox.org/events/963803/steps/choose_tickets

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors:

Add your name to the list with an in-kind or financial contribution!

Special thanks to One Sunny Day Initiatives, who co-hosted all the events and played a special role (not to mention a starring role) in The Seeds of Peace film screening. If you missed it, check out the film’s site for updates on future screenings.

Appreciation also to Ashland.News for covering several of these events. See their full coverage from Aug. 3 and Aug. 6.

HIROSHIMA DAY OBSERVANCE AND RESOURCES

Here are the details on our full program from Hiroshima Day, as well as copies of the remarks from our featured speakers.

NAGASAKI DAY OBSERVANCE AND RESOURCES

On August 9th we gathered to watch An Ordinary Insanity, which highlights the ongoing risk of nuclear war, and the full scale of destruction it might cause.

We then talked about ways that we can help resist the renewed move to build up nuclear weapons, by pushing back on mining efforts that set up supply chains not just for nuclear energy, but nuclear weaponry as well.

Emily Bowes from the Oregon chapter of the Sierra Club laid out the connections in a clear slideshow:

Looking for a way to keep track of this issue and take action? See this petition from the Stop Nuclear Work group: https://www.change.org/p/no-aurora-uranium-project-stop-harmful-uranium-mining-in-oregon

And email Meg if you’d like to be part of the team at Peace House working on this critical issue.

Needed: Board Members for Local Grassroots Peace and Justice Organization

Location: Ashland, OR

To apply: Email board@peacehouse.net with a short note about your interest and a resume. 

Applications will be reviewed at our regular monthly meeting (currently scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month), after which we will reach out to applicants about next steps and a chance to meet the current board in-person.

Deadline: Rolling. Looking for new members to begin Fall 2026. 

About Peace House:

Born out of the Nuclear Freeze movement of the 1980s, Peace House has become a home for many kinds of action to make a more peaceful world. Our mission is to model the power of compassion for creating peace, to educate about the consequences of militarism, and to equip our community to organize, advocate, and take action together for peace and justice. We do this both through our own programs and through providing fiscal sponsorship to new or smaller community efforts in need of support.

Some of our current projects:

Uncle Food’s Diner – A weekly, free hot meal program open to all, regularly serving over 100 meals each week.

Rogue Liberation Library – A volunteer-driven project providing free books to prisoners in prisons around the country

Movement Building Program – Regular workshop series using a popular education frame teaching organizing and campaigning skills and analysis. Recent workshops have focused on noncooperation strategies against authoritarianism, nonviolent direct action, and corporate pressure campaigns against collaborators with ICE.

We are based in Ashland, OR and the majority of our work is done in-person in SW Oregon.

About the Role:

The board provides strategic leadership, governance, and works to build the organization’s resources.

We are looking for board members who are looking to take an active part in our work. Expectations include:

• Attending monthly board meetings
• Attending and helping plan and promote special events
• Fundraising and making a personal contribution to the organization
• Participating in board development
• Attending 1-2 special board meetings or retreats per year
• Participating in ad-hoc committees as needed

Terms are for two years and may be extended.

We are especially interested in individuals with the following skills:

• Nonprofit financial management
• Fundraising
• Compliance and risk assessments
• Team building
• Facilitation, especially in groups with a consensus or more collective decision-making process

For individuals excited about our mission, there may be the opportunity for training and professional development to help build out skills useful for the board.

Tuesday kitchen help at Uncle Food’s Diner

Peace House coordinates a weekly hot meal on Tuesdays, and we need more hands in the kitchen! Flexible shifts from 10am-3pm. We cook at First Methodist near Laurel and N. Main. Come work with our fabulous chef, David Jimenez, and the rest of our fun crew. Reach out to Meg (meg@peacehouse.net) or call the office at 541.482.9625 for more info.

Volunteer with Ashland Food Angels

Food Angels has been collecting and donating produce and other perishable food items to Uncle Food’s since 1996, as well as helping to provide an abundance of food items to the Ashland Food Bank and food banks in Talent and Phoenix. 

The project operates daily, picking up food each morning and evening. Shifts are usually 2-3 hours. Although it helps to be able to lift 20 to 40 pounds, there are also jobs which require no lifting. Consistent weekly help is greatly appreciated, but even an hour or so once in a while would be helpful. It’s a wonderful and loving group that gives their time and energies to this project,To learn more, email Pamala Joy at ashlandfoodangels@gmail.com or call 458.246.7489.

On May 1st, workers, businesses, and schools are saying: No Work. No shopping. No school.

Will you join us?

Here’s what you can do:

1. Attend the May Day Rally in Medford

PCUN, Unite Oregon, Unete, Indivisible, local unions, and many many others are hosting a May Day rally in Medford:

May 1 from 4-7pm at Veterans Memorial Park next to the Medford Armory 

Live music

Food by Jobs with Justice

Local Union speakers in Spanish and English

2. Pledge to Strike.

Whether you’re a student, a worker, or an everyday person who does your shopping on Fridays, you can demonstrate the economic and social power we hold collectively by withdrawing your participation on that day. Stay home—or go out and volunteer instead. Plan your shopping for another day. Let our collective presence be felt.

This call for a national strike on May Day coincides with our statewide Day Without an Immigrant. In addition to encouraging a strike, Oregon for All, PCUN, and many others are hosting a lobby day in Salem for those able to attend.

Will you be striking on May 1st? Sign the pledge form from Unete to show your commitment.

3. Participate in outreach to local businesses.

On January 23rd, many businesses around the country shut their doors, closed early, or took part in solidarity actions in support of the community in Minnesota after the killing of Renee Good by federal agents.

May 1st, the business community has another chance to show that they stand in support of their customers, workers, and neighbors, and against the billionaires and authoritarians using our taxes to fuel war and terrorize everyday people via violent tactics from ICE and CBP.

Ask your favorite businesses to show their support using the BUSINESS OUTREACH TOOLKIT.

Are you a business or independent contractor that’s participating in the May Day strike? Let us know here and we’ll add your name to the list below so that community members can see you care.

Think your business is too small to meaningfully participate? The folks at The Drift Collective are engaged in conversations to help other small business owners think through what it means to show up in this moment. Check out their Instagram and reach out for more info:

And here’s how businesses in Southern Oregon are showing solidarity:

-The Drift Collective – Cash Only & Music by Los Mapaches + Chinga La Migra Live Screen Printing

-Luna Love Plant Show – Cash Only & Donating 20% of sales to the “Protect Oregon” organization @protectoregon 

-Loam+Black – Cash Only & Talking w/ All Customers About May Day Strike

-Fiit & Flow Fitness Studio – Rewarding members participating in May Day solidarity actions with points towards Spring Challenge competition. 

-Websters – Participating, Exact Details To Be Confirmed

-Treehouse Books – Participating, Exact Details To Be Confirmed

More to come!

See all the businesses taking action around the state: https://www.daywithoutanimmigrantor.com/businesses

Know of a small business taking action? Tell us about it.

We’re happy to announce our next set of trainings for April and May, following on our Justice is Love in Public weekend in February.

Please RSVP to tell us which trainings you’d like to attend and we’ll send more details to you.

Workshops are free and open to all but please consider making a donation to support this programming. Peace House relies on community support to do this work.

Send questions to meg@peacehouse.net.

Thursday, April 16th, 3-5pm – Strike Readiness Training
We’ll gather in person to participate in a national training on preparing for strikes, then debrief together and talk about plans for upcoming May 1st strikes.


Wednesday, May 13th, 6:30-8:30pm – HOPE-PV: Elections Focus
Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence is a framework being used around the country to push back against authoritarian violence. We’ll learn the basics of this framework and then put it into practice with a focus on elections, working through scenarios in which violence or threats of violence attempt to disrupt our right to vote and govern ourselves.


Wednesday, May 27th, 6-8pm – Noncooperation 101
Words like authoritarianism, fascism, and autocracy are all being thrown around a lot these days. How does this moment in the U.S. compare to authoritarian take-overs in other places? We’ll share about the current authoritarian threat, then share stories of noncooperation and how nonviolent noncooperation has been used to push back against anti-democratic forces.


Saturday, May 30th, 10am-3pm – Economic Noncooperation Against ICE and Militarism
Rescheduled from February. Boycotts, strikes, tax resistance — these are just a few of the nonviolent noncooperation tactics movements have used around the world to disrupt authoritarian forces. We’ll break down the mechanics of these tactics and look at how they might be deployed against the violent excesses of ICE and the U.S. military in our current moment. We’ll share stories from global movements, review concepts like the pillars of support and basics of campaign strategy, then dig into creative campaign design ourselves to see what actions we might take together here in Oregon.

Pope Leo called for peace in his remarks on Easter Sunday and reiterated them again in response to President Trump’s threat that a ‘whole civilization might die tonight,’ made the morning of Tuesday, April 7th.

How do we respond on a day like this, when mass destruction of human life is tossed around so flagrantly?

We say: show your love for life in whatever manner feels compelling and urgent.

We’ve already heard that individuals are gathering on the Ashland Plaza this afternoon to speak out.

We also know that some of us are flooding the lines of the White House – (202) 456-1111 – before 5pm ET.

Some of us are showing up to continue feeding our neighbors, like we will be today at Uncle Food’s Diner, and advocating for their right to exist in public, later today at Ashland City Council.

Some of us will figure out how to provide aid to those already harmed and displaced.

Some of us will finally take the step to stop funding war, this week before Tax Day, joining the War Tax Resisters League and others in refusing to hand over our money to systems of endless bloodshed.

Some of us will gather and process and plan with those closest to us to figure out what kind of action we’ve been too scared to take before and finally step to take it.

Some of us will sit in quiet and allow the anxiety and fear of what’s happening to move through our bodies until we better discern the right course of action—engaging in an active preparing, in this moment when the next right move can be so hard to see.

Whatever form of action calls to you, we say: do it. Act for peace.

Whatever you do, don’t let this be the day you turned away from the harm this nation is willing to cause in the world. Don’t let it be the day you chose to ignore the truth of suffering.

Today is a scary and horrific day, and how it will unfold is uncertain and may lead to terrible loss. But we cannot begin to prevent this and future atrocities if we will not sit with the reality of suffering and let that move us to act, in whatever way is available to us.

So we say again, whatever form of action calls to you: do it.

Today, when so-called leaders act only for war, let the people act for peace.

We strongly urge the U.S. government and other involved parties to cease this path of murder and destruction and to return to open and honest negotiations in good will. It is the only reasonable and practical course. 

We urge all members of Congress to assert their constitutional prerogative and to quickly approve legislation currently in both the House and the Senate regarding the War Powers Act. The decision to go to war is the most consequential and disastrous decision that humans can male. This decision must never be left to a single person, including the President. We urge everyone to contact their Members of Congress with this message.

Finally, we must clearly state that “regime change” in other countries is not the prerogative of the United States. It is the sole prerogative of the people of those countries. This is true no matter the quality of the government in question.

Let us choose the project of life, not the project of death.