Surveilled and Sold: Privacy and Sanctuary in Portland
How effective are Portland’s sanctuary city policies when ICE can track and surveil immigrant communities with ease?
InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Visit investigatewest.org/newsletters to sign up for weekly updates.
'; document.querySelector('#copytext').value = textContent; modal.showModal(); }); // Modal close functionality const modal = document.querySelector('.republish-modal'); const closeBtn = document.querySelector('.republish-modal-close'); // Close button click closeBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { modal.close(); }); // Close on backdrop click modal.addEventListener('click', function(e) { if (e.target === modal) { modal.close(); } }); // Close on ESC key (this is usually built-in, but adding for safety) modal.addEventListener('keydown', function(e) { if (e.key === 'Escape') { modal.close(); } }); // Copy text button functionality document.querySelector('.copy-text-button').addEventListener('click', async function() { const textarea = document.querySelector('#copytext'); const text = textarea.value; try { // Try modern Clipboard API first if (navigator.clipboard && window.isSecureContext) { await navigator.clipboard.writeText(text); this.textContent = 'Copied!'; } else { // Fallback for older browsers textarea.select(); document.execCommand('copy'); this.textContent = 'Copied!'; } // Reset button text after 2 seconds setTimeout(() => { this.textContent = 'Copy text'; }, 2000); } catch (err) { console.error('Failed to copy text: ', err); // Fallback to selection if copying fails textarea.select(); this.textContent = 'Text selected'; setTimeout(() => { this.textContent = 'Copy text'; }, 2000); } }); });We just published our first SIDEBAR of 2015 — an exclusive monthly dispatch from inside our newsroom just for InvestigateWest members.
Have you ever wondered how a story goes from an idea in a reporter's head to a published piece? This month, reporter Lee van der Voo gives an insider's look at how our latest investigation came to be.
Maybe a decade ago, my husband served on a felony grand jury. For 30 days in Multnomah County, he and six other people presided over person-to-person crimes, one of three sitting grand juries convened at all times.
His tales of kidnappings and busted eyeballs horrified us both. Every weekday for a month, instead of getting up and going to the office, he went to a room downtown to listen to tale after tale of life-altering violence.
His service left a lasting impression on both of us.
To read the rest...

The story you just read is only possible because readers like you support our mission to uncover truths that matter. If you value this reporting, help us continue producing high-impact investigations that drive real-world change. Your donation today ensures we can keep asking tough questions and bringing critical issues to light. Join us — because fearless, independent journalism depends on you!
— Jacob H. Fries, executive director
DonateCancel anytime.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters and never miss an investigation.