Oregon’s top law enforcement official has rolled out what he calls a bilingual “Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit” to help residents refresh their knowledge of relevant laws in the Beaver State.
“Everyone has the right to live, work, play, and learn safely in Oregon,” Oregon Democratic Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a statement announcing the toolkit.
In 1987, the Oregon Legislature passed then-Rep. Rocky Barilla’s HB 2314 was in response to several raids by the INS (U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was renamed USCIS, DHS, and ICE in 2003).
The law is considered the country’s first “sanctuary state” policy.
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Welcome to the Oregon Sign in Brookings, Oregon. (Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
Mr. Rosenblum clearly acknowledged Oregon’s position on this point and committed state and local law enforcement resources to arresting suspects charged solely for being in the United States without documentation. He pointed out that its use is prohibited by law.
A press release from the attorney general’s office noted that while the Barilla bill was passed “nearly unanimously” in 1987, by 2024 sanctuary laws had become “a highly partisan issue.”
“Here at the Oregon Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, I am working as hard as I can to provide the people, businesses, and local governments of our state with easy-to-read materials that will help them know their rights and educate others. I’m very happy with what they put together,” Rosenblum said in a statement.
This toolkit provides public access to documents related to the passing of the 1987 law, along with “conversations” with those involved in passing the law.
The toolkit includes several FAQs, including “How do I prepare myself and my family for an encounter with ICE or other federal immigration authorities?” – “Is there a place I can call and report to ICE or other federal immigration agencies currently operating in my area?” “What information should I write down after an encounter with ICE or other federal immigration agencies?” Should I?”
Oregon also has a statewide “hotline” for reporting violations of sanctuary laws.
There are also links to news organizations and a separate “Addressing Bias in Law Enforcement” toolkit.
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Thomas Homan speaks during a Department of Homeland Security press conference on immigration enforcement and border security in Washington, DC, December 5, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Rosenblum also urged Oregonians to discuss the issue with their families in the coming weeks to “know your rights and make a plan for what to do if an immigration officer shows up at your home or workplace.” He said he would recommend it.
“It’s essential to know your rights in advance,” she says.
President-elect Trump has named former ICE Director Thomas Homan as “border czar” to replace Vice President Kamala Harris.
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Donald Trump speaks at the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Sierra Vista, Arizona, on August 22, 2024. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Homan promised a strong crackdown on immigration violators and illegal immigrants.
Fox News Digital has also reached out to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for comment.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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