OPB’s First Look: Visualizing the surge in Northwest ICE arrests

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Good morning, Northwest.

Arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the Pacific Northwest have exploded under President Donald Trump.

Today’s top story visualizes that surge and explores the experience of one Oregon family caught in it. OPB’s Troy Brynelson reports.

In other news, heavy rain continues to pummel northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, and Linn County residents line up to oppose a large solar project.

Here’s your First Look at Friday’s news.

—Bradley W. Parks

A family photo showing Paulino Martin San Pedro, who was arrested in Washington County by ICE officers during a surge in immigration enforcement last fall. He was deported to Mexico and died in February.
*Brooke Herbert / OPB*

After Trump called Portland ‘war-ravaged,’ ICE apprehensions near the city spiked 600%

Newly released data from the University of Washington’s Center for Human Rights shows an immigration surge in Oregon and Washington in late 2025.

Internally, immigration enforcement officers referred to this crackdown as “Operation Black Rose,” according to court documents.

UW researchers obtained the data as part of an ongoing lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that seeks greater insight into its deportation efforts.

In Multnomah County, where the embattled ICE facility drew President Trump’s attention over ongoing protests, there were 34 ICE apprehensions in September. That number jumped fivefold — to 164 — in the four weeks immediately after he called Portland “war-ravaged.”

Accounting for population sizes, no county in the Pacific Northwest was hit harder than Multnomah County last fall. It saw about 575 apprehensions in the fall, or 72 arrests per 100,000 residents. That’s roughly a 600% spike. (Troy Brynelson)

Learn more

Workers clear downed trees and repair damaged power lines on Highway 43, south of Southwest Midvale Road, during an atmospheric river in Lake Oswego, Ore., on March 12, 2026.
*Eli Imadali / OPB*

3 things to know this morning

Flood watches remain in effect for parts of Oregon and Southwest Washington until tonight, at least. Heavy rains led to multiple rescues in the metro area yesterday. (OPB staff)
It’s been almost three years since a proposed solar park on Linn County farmland met fierce pushback from local residents and farmers. Now, after a long lull, there are signs the plan might still take shape. (Alejandro Figueroa)
Public records obtained by OPB show the extent to which the Trail Blazers pressured Portland leaders to commit millions to Moda Center renovations. (Alex Zielinski)

FILE - Gov. Tina Kotek speaks to reporters ahead of the legislative short session on Jan. 28, 2026, in Salem, Ore.
*Saskia Hatvany / OPB*

Headlines from around the Northwest

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s order requiring union work on state projects is ruled illegal (Dirk VanderHart)
Avalanche warning in effect near Mount Hood through tonight (OPB staff)
Portland councilors make renewed pitch to spend $56 million unbudgeted housing funds (Alex Zielinski)
New children’s book celebrates joy and color of Willamette Valley (Jess Hazel)
Oregon Health Authority identifies Gresham grocery store as latest measles exposure site (OPB staff)
Jellyfish-like Velella velella creatures are back on Oregon beaches (Julia Boboc)
Wilson to return as Thorns kick off NWSL season against Spirit (Anne M. Peterson)
Michigan assistant Justin Joyner named Oregon State men’s basketball coach (Anne M. Peterson)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

Washington’s short legislative session comes to a close

Buttery colcannon with creamed kale and baby leeks is a perfect celebration of springtime vegetables
*Heather Arndt Anderson / OPB*

Superabundant recipe: Buttery colcannon with creamed kale and baby leeks

Between the last fortnight of winter and the first fortnight of spring is a magical microseason once called faoilleach in old Scottish Gaelic. In Japan, where 72 koyomi mark these infinitesimal changes, this week is momo hajimete saku, or “first peach blossoms.”

If you’re Irish, it means it’s time for colcannon.

It’s a fairly straightforward seasonal dish of mashed potatoes with greens (often cabbage) and onions, fortified with lots of cream and butter.

Standard fare for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s also a fine use for the garden’s first fat stalks of kale and turnip raab before they turn woody and bitter. (Heather Arndt Anderson)