TL/DR –
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has threatened legal action against the state of Oregon and its sanctuary laws, which prohibit local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration authorities. In a letter to Oregon’s Governor, Tina Kotek, Bondi warned the state to repeal any policies that hinder federal immigration enforcement or face legal consequences. Despite this, Kotek has reiterated her commitment to the state’s sanctuary laws, arguing that “threats like this undermine our values and our right to govern ourselves.”
US Attorney General Threatens Legal Action Against Oregon Over Sanctuary Laws
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has issued a warning toOregon Gov. Tina Kotek, threatening legal action for preventing state public agencies from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. This announcement is a part of a broader move against sanctuary states and cities across the US, including Oregon, who received these letters.
Gov. Kotek, a Democrat, has consistently supported Oregon’s sanctuary laws, even following President Trump’s ascension to office. She stated in response to this letter, “I will fight for the safety and prosperity of every Oregonian… We will not be bullied into doing the federal government’s job of immigration enforcement”.
Sanctuary laws do not prevent federal immigration authorities from operating within local governments’ jurisdiction. Despite these laws, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers have made recent arrests, including farmworkers and a parent at a local daycare.
In response to President Trump’s directive to identify all jurisdictions with sanctuary laws, Oregon and sanctuary city Portland were included on the list. It remains uncertain what legal action Bondi plans to take against Oregon or Portland but hinted at possible “additional consequences.”
Portland has proactively joined lawsuits against the Trump administration for withholding federal funds. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell echoed this sentiment, stating that the administration’s narratives about sanctuary jurisdictions “are furthest from the truth.”
Reach out to state politics and government reporter Carlos Fuentes at cfuentes@oregonian.com. Tatum Todd also contributed to this report.
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