July 15, 2025

Dexter, Wyden, Merkley Secure Emergency Court Order to Halt Deportation of Portland Family, Grant Access to Legal Counsel

PORTLAND, OR —Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), along with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, announced that a federal judge granted an emergency temporary restraining order preventing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from removing the Merlos family from the court’s jurisdiction.

Dexter, Wyden, and Merkley released the following joint statement: 

 “Our constituents, including four U.S. citizen children, were detained without due process by their own government. This case is as urgent as it is egregious. This emergency ruling is a legal lifeline to provide critical protection to the Merlos family. 

“We are gratified with this temporary win as a necessary step toward justice. In the coming days, we will be watching with unwavering attention to make certain due process is followed and this family is treated with the dignity every Oregon family deserves.

“This fight is every single Oregonian’s fight. If we allow this—citizen children detention, neighbors disappeared, due process ignored—we surrender not just our country but our conscience. That is an outcome we refuse to accept.”

On Sunday, Dexter, Wyden, Merkley, Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02), and other lawmakers sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and CBP setting a deadline of 10:00 a.m. PT on Monday, July 14 to grant the family access to their attorney. The lawmakers condemned the egregious, prolonged detention of U.S. citizen children in facilities that are not equipped or intended for the long-term custody of anyone.

Last week, Dexter personally traveled to the Bellingham Border Patrol Station, where the Merlos family was detained. CBP refused to allow her to speak with the family or connect the family with legal counsel. 

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