As a Result, Conservation Organizations and Other Parties Dismiss Case Against Agency
For Immediate Release:
October 23, 2026
Contacts:
Josh Laughlin, Cascadia Wildlands, 541-844-8182 / jlaughlin@cascwild.org
Meriel Darzen, Crag Law Center, 503-525-2725 / meriel@crag.org
Elise Newman, Oregon Shores, 916-838-0986 / elise@oregonshores.org
On October 23, conservation organizations Oregon Shores and Cascadia Wildlands, along with the city of Newport and the state of Oregon, voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit without prejudice against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the federal agency stated in a court filing that it is “not currently planning to expand any current detention facilities or open any new long or short-term detention facilities in the State of Oregon.”
The conservation organizations’ January complaint alleged the DHS’ secretive plans to build the facility at the Newport municipal airport on the coast violated the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), two bedrock conservation statutes that help safeguard the environment, coastal communities, and human health.
“This is a huge victory for the people of Oregon and our shared environment, and is a testament to the power of our coastal communities who joined loudly in opposition to this reckless and inhumane plan,” said Josh Laughlin, Executive Director of Eugene-based Cascadia Wildlands. “Hopefully this case will provide a template for other states to thwart further attempts to build these ruthless facilities that also despoil the environment.”
The organizations alleged the construction and operation of the proposed facility could have impacts on imperiled species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, including snowy plover and marbled murrelet, sensitive landscapes and waterways, nearby businesses, and the livability of coastal communities around Newport.
“This outcome reflects the strength of coastal communities who spoke up to protect both people and place,” stated Elise Newman, Oregon Shores’ Executive Director. “Newport is a place where people live, work, and care deeply for the environment. We’re encouraged by this decision and will remain vigilant to ensure any future proposals respect local and environmental law, the Oregon land use system, and our coastal ecosystems.”
DHS has made efforts to lease the property at the Newport airport, construct the facility, and hire contractors and personnel to staff the facility. The agency had indicated the facility would begin housing detainees in early 2026, which would have presumably supported an expansion of federal immigration enforcement activity in Oregon.
“DHS is not immune from compliance with Federal laws, including environmental laws, that protect Oregon communities, ecosystems and habitats. We and our clients will remain vigilant to ensure that any new proposals for any kind of DHS facility follow these laws and provide opportunities for local input and oversight,” said Meriel Darzen, Senior Staff Attorney at Crag Law Center, which represented the Plaintiff-Intervenor groups.
Due to the deleterious impacts this federal action would have had on the environment and community, plaintiffs alleged such a project is required to comply with both the Coastal Zone Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Under the CZMA, when a federal agency has determined that its action will affect a coastal zone resource or land use, it must provide the state with a “consistency determination” early on in the process.
NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare, consider, publicly disclose, and approve a detailed statement describing the environmental impacts of any major federal action that may affect the quality of the environment. Plaintiffs alleged that the Department of Homeland Security never initiated any steps toward complying with either statute.
Oregon Shores and Cascadia Wildlands have been represented in the case by attorneys with the nonprofit Crag Law Center.
Additional background: To make room for the detention facility, the US Coast Guard in late October 2025 moved a long-stationed rescue helicopter from the proposed site in Newport 100 miles south to North Bend, thereby curtailing critical ocean crabbing and fishing rescue operations. On November 21st, plaintiffs Newport Fishermen’s Wives and Lincoln County filed a lawsuit challenging the relocation of the helicopter, and they were issued an injunction by the US District Court three days later, forcing its return.
There has been widespread community and elected official opposition to building the immigrant detention facility in Newport. The Mayor and City Council of Newport have been united in opposition to the project. On December 16th, the Democratic members of the Oregon Congressional delegation issued a strongly worded letter to Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Acting Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, opposing the facility and requesting disclosure of plans for the area. Hundreds of coastal residents have turned out to community meetings and town halls to oppose building the detention facility.
