Copyright The Oregonian
Several Portland youth soccer games are being canceled or rescheduled due to concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. On Friday afternoon, the Oregon Youth Soccer Association announced that as many as 16 Development League teams were withdrawing from competition after people reported ICE activity in community parks. According to the OYSA website, there are multiple Development Leagues that include children ages 8-10. “Their decision was not made lightly. It comes amid deeply distressing reports of immigration enforcement activity in local communities, which has caused fear and uncertainty among many families — families who are, and have always been, at the heart of our game,” reads an email from OYSA Executive Director Simon Date to OYSA parents. “These clubs have expressed that their priority must be the safety and well-being of their players, parents, and communities.” Date told The Oregonian/OregonLive that there was a recent ICE sighting at Delta Park, where OYSA plays its Development League schedule. More Oregon high school sports Voting results: West Albany junior named girls soccer player of the week Voting results: Dayton freshman gets over half the votes for boys soccer player of the week Oregon high schools are keeping their 6 classifications, but a major change could transform local sports rivalries Date also said that OYSA has moved games from other community parks this year due to ICE sightings. The remaining teams in the OYSA Development League are having their games rescheduled to accommodate those who dropped out. “We also recognize that this issue touches on a politically charged and deeply emotional topic,” Date wrote to parents. “People will have different views about immigration and enforcement actions — and that’s understandable. But wherever you stand on the politics, we stand unapologetically with kids not being scared to be at our events. Every child deserves to play soccer without fear, and that will always be our north star.”
