Josephine County Sheriff Addresses Immigration Law Enforcement

Grants Pass, Oregon- Josephine County residents were recently briefed by the county sheriff on the current status of immigration enforcement practices and the complexities posed by conflicting state and federal laws. The sheriff outlined the legal framework governing local law enforcement actions under Oregon law, highlighting key restrictions and allowances.

Oregon Sanctuary Laws and Law Enforcement Parameters

The sheriff explained that Oregon law enforcement operates under several directives codified in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), which establish both permitted and prohibited actions regarding immigration enforcement.

Under ORS 181A.820 and related statutes, law enforcement in Oregon may:

• Request information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for local criminal investigations.

• Arrest individuals wanted under certain federal criminal immigration statutes when a warrant is issued by a federal judge.

• Provide publicly accessible information to ICE or comply with court subpoenas.

• Ask individuals about their country of origin for consular notification, with a required disclaimer regarding potential immigration consequences.

Conversely, Oregon law explicitly prohibits law enforcement from:

• Using public resources to assist in detecting or apprehending individuals for immigration violations.

• Granting federal immigration officials access to non-public areas of local facilities.

• Investigating or questioning individuals solely on behalf of ICE.

• Denying services or benefits based on suspected immigration status.

• Executing civil immigration arrests without a judicial warrant.

Violations of these restrictions can result in civil penalties for law enforcement officials, as outlined in ORS 181A.820(6).

Federal Directives on Sanctuary Jurisdictions

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a memo titled “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives,” emphasizing federal enforcement priorities. The memo outlined three key directives:

1. Ending funding to state and local jurisdictions that interfere with federal law enforcement operations.

2. Evaluating funding agreements with non-governmental organizations that support undocumented immigrants.

3. Pursuing enforcement actions against jurisdictions that impede lawful federal immigration operations.

Sheriff’s Position on Balancing State and Federal Laws

The sheriff acknowledged the challenges posed by conflicting obligations under state and federal laws. “I stand firm that an individual who has entered the United States illegally has committed a crime and believe emphasis should be placed on those who commit additional crimes while here illegally,” the sheriff stated.

While the sheriff emphasized the importance of public safety, they also noted that the office had not received contact from ICE in recent years, likely due to Oregon’s sanctuary statutes. However, the sheriff warned that federal enforcement changes might lead to future cooperation requests.

“I will not stand in the way or inhibit federal immigration practices,” the sheriff said, adding that efforts would be made to avoid financial impacts on the community while maintaining a commitment to crime prevention.

In closing, the sheriff expressed a desire for cooperation between state and federal authorities, stating, “The hope is that these two institutions can come to common ground so that your law enforcement professionals can avoid becoming either the ‘target’ or the ‘martyr’ from either institution.”

The situation remains dynamic, with potential legal and financial ramifications as state and federal authorities navigate the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement practices.