Attorney General Pam Bondi received replies this week from the governor of Oregon, the first state to enact a “sanctuary” law. Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, confirmed receiving Bondi’s letter and stated that she disagrees with Bondi’s assertions.
Kotek emphasized that Oregon’s officials and law enforcement do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement. In fact, Oregon passed the nation’s first sanctuary state law back in 1987, introduced by State Senator Rocky Barilla and signed by then-Governor Neil Goldschmidt. This was sparked by concerns over police profiling of Latinos regarding their immigration status.
Kotek responded to Bondi, noting that for nearly 40 years, Oregon has adhered to federal immigration laws while upholding state policies. She mentioned that a 2018 measure to repeal parts of Oregon’s immigration laws failed, with 63% of voters opposed to any changes. Moreover, the original 1987 law was revisited and strengthened by lawmakers in 2021.
In her correspondence, Kotek referenced a statement from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum asserting that Oregon upholds the safety and dignity of all residents. This aligns with the view that states can operate within the bounds of the law, drawing from legal precedents like a case from 1992 concerning nuclear waste management that limited federal control over state programs.
In the same letter, Kotek acknowledged that the Trump administration may threaten civil lawsuits against local officials for hindering federal immigration efforts. However, she firmly pointed out that the state will not take on costs associated with enforcing federal immigration laws, emphasizing that it’s primarily a federal responsibility. Kotek concluded that Oregon complies with federal regulations and sees no need for immediate changes to existing laws regarding immigration enforcement.
As a federal judge in Oregon gets ready to rule on a significant immigration case, there is some sentiment surrounding whether certain asylum-seeking agricultural workers from Guatemala can be released from federal custody despite prior deportations.
During the Obama administration, individuals labeled as LJPL faced deportation, and there are ongoing discussions about whether they could be released as long as they kept regular appointments at the Eugene Immigration Office. Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, is set to determine if ICE can proceed with the deportations of these individuals.
