News Alert

DOJ sent a threatening letter to sanctuary states and cities, including OR. Portland was cited by name on the DOJ’s list.  

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), under Attorney General Pam Bondi,  escalated pressure on sanctuary jurisdictions, including Oregon and Portland, by placing them on an official “sanctuary list” and warning that refusal to end such policies could lead to lawsuits, criminal prosecution of officials, and the withholding of federal fund (more on Politico, and OPB). Joining California, Oregon and WA rejected the federal call to scrap sanctuary cities (Governor Ferguson, of Washington called for a press conference and made a fierce defense of WA sovereignty to enforce its laws (we recommend watching the full press conference here).  Governor Tina Kotek rejected the DOJ’s demands, “respectfully disagreeing” with the DOJ and saying:

“On behalf of the State of Oregon and its citizens, I respectfully disagree with your assertions. The State of Oregon, its public officials, and its law enforcement officers do not engage in conduct that thwarts federal immigration enforcement. The State of Oregon is in compliance with federal law and will continue to follow state law. Therefore, no ‘immediate initiatives’ are necessary to eliminate laws that impede federal immigration enforcement”. (letter here) She emphasized that the law enjoys widespread voter support, and through the state Attorney General, Oregon has signaled its readiness to defend it in court rather than comply with federal intimidation

A coalition of attorneys general from 20 states and Washington, D.C., is asking a federal judge to stop the U.S. Department of Justice from withholding federal funds earmarked for crime victims if states don’t cooperate with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. (Associate Press)

🚨 Oregon resident detained by Border Patrol while fighting wildfire

While battling a blaze on the Olympic Peninsula an Oregon resident was “found to be in the United States illegally,” said Border Patrol spokesperson Jaime Ruiz according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. The worker was on track to obtain legal status and has arrived here with his family at age 4, has since gone missing with the Border Patrol concealing his whereabouts. He has not been able to make contact with his lawyer or family. The Seattle Times first broke the story, reporting that U.S. Representative Emily Randall, who represents the Olympic Peninsula, wrote on social media “THIS IS NOT MAKING AMERICA SAFER”

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden called the arrest an “evil stunt” by the Trump administration.