Cottage Grove business owner says ICE detained her, community demands answers
A Cottage Grove business owner says Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pulled her from her minivan, held her on the ground and handcuffed her during Nov. 5 enforcement activity despite her being a lawful permanent resident. The account has raised concerns about racial profiling in Lane County, prompted calls for accountability, and left family and neighbors grappling with fear and trauma.
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Juanita Avila, a 47 year old Cottage Grove resident and business owner, says she was forcibly removed from her minivan and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during enforcement activity on Nov. 5. Avila, who identifies as a lawful permanent resident, reported being held on the ground and handcuffed. She later sought medical attention for physical pain and for the emotional trauma she says resulted from the encounter.
Avila described the encounter to local organizers and to family members who witnessed the aftermath. Her daughter and others in the community recounted the episode and decried what they characterized as racial profiling. Organizers who have been working with immigrant families in Lane County provided context for the incident and emphasized the fear such enforcement activity creates among people who have legal immigration status or who live with family members who do.
Federal officials did not respond to questions about the incident. DHS and ICE did not answer inquiries from Lookout about what happened to Avila on Nov. 5 or why agents took the actions she reported. The absence of a response has left residents and local advocates seeking clearer information about federal enforcement practices in the area and what safeguards exist to prevent the wrongful detention of people with lawful status.
The episode has immediate local consequences. Avila is a small business owner, and her report of detention has reverberated through Cottage Grove, where many families depend on local enterprises for employment and services. Community organizers warn that aggressive enforcement activities can deter immigrant families from accessing medical care, reporting crimes, enrolling children in school, or engaging with local institutions that rely on public trust. Public health professionals note that the emotional and physical trauma described by Avila is likely to extend beyond the individual, affecting family stability, mental health, and the community sense of safety.
Advocates are calling for greater transparency and for local leaders to weigh in on how federal enforcement is carried out in Lane County. They say clearer communication from federal agencies, stronger safeguards for people with lawful status, and expanded access to legal and health services for those affected are needed to prevent further harm. Local clinics and nonprofits that work with immigrant communities may see increased demand for trauma informed care and legal assistance as families seek support.
This report amplifies Avila’s first person account and documents how one resident and her community have been affected amid broader enforcement activity. In the absence of a federal response, residents and local organizations are pressing for answers and for measures that protect public health, community trust, and equity for all people living in Lane County.
